Atiku, Obi Lose Control Of Opposition Lawmakers

It must have become very glaring to Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, former presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party respectively, that they have lost control of lawmakers of their parties, following the National Assembly’s approval of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State.

Although both the PDP and LP had 102 and 34 lawmakers respectively in the House of Representatives before defection depleted the number to about 130, they were not able to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which at the end of 2023 legislative election had 162 reps.

The current number of the opposition party lawmakers could have been enough to block the APC from obtaining the two-third majority required to pass the emergency rule declaration.

But a demonstration of lack of enthusiasm for leadership of the opposition political parties in the country from the two political heavyweights became glaring when both issued statements on Thursday shortly after lawmakers passed the emergency declaration.

In the lead up to the votes, there was brinkmanship and shouting match among the lawmakers as some opposition leaders stated clearly their opposition to the emergency rule.

In the face of overt hostility being displayed by some opposition lawmakers, the APC which controls both houses successfully lobbied to divide them.

The development was part of why both houses did not lay the official letters concerning the declaration for consideration on Wednesday for consideration.

It was deferred to Thursday for consideration to allow enough time to divide the opposition and whittle down the number and influence of obdurate lawmakers over the president’s decision.

It took almost 72 hours before both presidential hopefuls – Atiku and Obi – could send messages to the lawmakers in their respective parties not to support the emergency proclamation.

Even at that, they passed the message to the lawmakers through X/Twitter after both houses had passed the resolution affirming the president’s declaration.

Atiku in his X/Twitter statement wrote, “I spoke to a former Governor of Rivers, Chief Rufus Ada-George…I impressed on him the need for them to reach out to the lawmakers from the region to vote against the proclamation of state of emergency rule in Rivers State.”

Obi on his part wrote, “Following 26 years of a deteriorating democratic process marked by disregard for educational qualifications for electoral positions, massive rigging, and now the unconstitutional removal of elected officeholders — I find it necessary to address you.

“These unconstitutional actions have far-reaching negative implications for our democracy and the will of the people.

“I urge you to stand as true defenders of justice. Do not participate in or support any action, decision, or vote that compromises the integrity of our democracy, undermines the interests of the people of Rivers State, or contradicts our core values of fairness, equity, and transparency.”

He cautioned, “We must not allow ourselves to become instruments of injustice or contribute to the betrayal of the people’s mandate.

“At this moment, we must prioritize what is right over what is wrong or convenient, remaining steadfast in defending the well-being of the people of Rivers State,” Obi wrote.

Nigerians were quick to condemn their approaches asking why they did not reach out directly to their lawmakers or held a press conference to speak directly to them.

They assailed the politicians who ran a joint ticket in 2019 on the platform of the PDP for failing to provide the needed leadership, wondering how they expect to be taken seriously in order to get support and votes in 2027.

The development confirms the fears from a senator on the platform of the Labour Party that both Atiku and Obi are not providing the needed leadership to exert their influence on the lawmakers.

The lawmaker said both politicians were not respected by their respective lawmakers due to their conduct.

Both former candidates could not be reached for comment as to why they only acted after the votes had been collected and the resolution passed in favour of the emergency rule.

Atiku, Obi Lose Control Of Opposition Lawmakers is first published on The Whistler Newspaper