In the run-up to an eventful week on the national stage, the All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF) wishes to commend our leaders at the national level for being committed to the reformist ideals of our great party, the APC.
First and foremost, the APYF wishes to reiterate our commendation of President Muhammadu Buhari for the competence and content of character that his ministerial nominees have demonstrated thus far at the Senate confirmation screenings, and to congratulate him for the confirmation of 18 of the 36 nominees.
The APYF would also like to commend the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, for the democratic example and precedent that he has set by presiding over a Senate confirmation process that has been devoid of political sentiments, and focused on issues-based governance. At a time when enemies of this administration of change were hoping that Dr. Saraki’s case at the Code of Conduct Bureau/Tribunal, would bridge a political wedge between the executive and the legislature, Dr. Saraki has demonstrated by his actions that truly he is committed to the APC ideals of nation-building, the furtherance of the rule of law, and competent governance.
Additionally, by subjecting himself to the judicial process as the Number 3 citizen of the country, the Senate President’s actions have revealed that he has absolute respect for the rule of law. Hence, in these times when the executive has shown a good example by allowing the nomination and confirmation of credible ministers without the perennial allegation of Ghana-Must-Go bags; and the legislature has followed suit by doing a thorough job devoid of political sentiments and needless controversy by separating politics from governance, the APYF is confident in the direction that Nigeria is heading. Consequently, the actions of the executive and the legislative branches in recent times now places the burden of our positively-evolving democratic cycle on the judiciary to ensure that the rule of the law is always upheld. Namely, judicial cases involving political office holders must be devoid of external political motivations.
The APYF therefore cautions our institutions and arms of government on this issue by saying that the benefit of the doubt must always be given to all accused persons. In the pursuit of a sustainable democracy, due process must always be followed. To fix Nigeria: justice must not only be done, justice should appear to have been done.
Signed:
Alwan Hassan (National Field Director)
Barr. Oscar Obi (National Secretary)
Olu W. Onemola (National Public Relations Officer)
