In apparent tone of shock and disappointment, the senate president, Godswill Akpabio has made an open criticism on the political decision that will sideline senator Faduyile outside the ballot box for the 2027 General election.
Akpabio said such a decision that will not allow an eminently experienced and competent Lawmaker of Faduyile’s calibre from seeking a return to the 11th senate next year deserves to be well scrutinised.
He said such a decision not only has the capacity to deprive the National Assembly valuable institutional knowledge, it also weakens democratic governance.
He gave this counsel at the senate plenary On Thursday while acknowledging the contributions of Senator Faduyile, a professor and former president of the Nigeria medical Association whom he said had the experience and expertise to make useful contributions towards the cause of the senate in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
The senate president on wednesday also commended Faduyile for what he described as his timely and well researched motion of urgent National importance on need for action by the federal government to prevent the outbreak of another Ebola in Nigeria.
In the words of Akpabio,
“It is not good for a Senator to serve in the senate for just only one year and then leave. Political parties must take a closer look at their decisions, particularly when dealing with serious minded individuals who can make meaningful contributions to legislation and national assignment. Denying such individuals tickets deprives the legislature of their experience”
It would be recalled that Senator Faduyile’s one year tenure is a completion of the term left by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim who was appointed as Nigeria’s Permanent representative to the United Nations by president Tinubu.
The senate president went further that the National Assembly should not be treated as a platform for political patronage but rather a place where, competence, ability, experience and commitment to excellence should be the indicators to use while selecting representatives for positions at the National Assembly. The senate is not a place for sharing political largesse he noted.
Making reference to Former US Senator, Robert Byrd of West Virginia who served for 51 years and former US president Joe Buden who served for 36 years( 1973-2009). Akpabio affirmed that the senate is a place for people with tested experience.
The senate president voicing openly the issue of Senator Faduyile’s political situation publicly will raise certain issues as to happenings in Ondo South. It is also a direct confrontation on need to end the game of incompetence on the altar of favouritism.
