All the opposition members in the House of Representatives Thursday threatened to veto President Goodluck Jonathan’s power following the delay in assenting to the harmonised N4.9 billion Appropriation bill passed by the National Assembly.
The consensus for the “veto threat notice” was issued after a meeting held by all the opposition parties who unanimously expressed support for the ongoing merger plan ahead of the 2015 general elections.
Femi Gbajabiamila, Minority Leader who led other parties to the press briefing, however warned that wielding th Constitutional power of the House to veto President’s would not send the right signal for the seeming cordiality between the Executive and Legislature.
He said “we call on Mr President to very quickly sign the 2013 budget and we will work with him on this if there are genuine grey areas . We are already in February and a situation where the legislature will have to over ride his presidential veto as constitutionally provided is not a good way to start the year or foster a good legislative executive relationship.
“We also ask that Mr President begins to respect official resolutions from an equal arm of government as these resolutions are always in national interest, If two heads are better than one, then surely 360 heads are better than one.”
On the proposed merger of all the opposition parties, Gbajabiamila expressed optimism that successful merger would turn the tide against the ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as it would play opposition after the 2015 general elections.
He said “this conference is called to lend our voice as an opposition group to the ongoing merger talks between the opposition parties in Nigeria.
“We members of the opposition in the House want to make it abundantly clear that we are fully and totally in support and are committed to merging our various parties for the singular purpose of the true transformation of Nigeria .
“On Tuesday 10 governors belonging to various parties met and publicly declare their support. That was one level or tier of governance. Today over 160 legislators of the House of Representatives from different parties have just met to confirm their unflinching support for the merger.
“We find this public affirmations necessary so as to continue to give the Nigerian masses the much needed confidence that indeed help is on the way and they should keep hope alive.
“Whilst this may not be an auspicious time for our colleagues in the PDP who are progressive in their orientation to key into this Nigerian project, our doors are remain open and we encourage those of them with progressive tendencies and there are many, to feel the pulse of the nation and the yearlings of the masses for the progressive change our merger represents.
“The impending merger represents a True Rainbow coalition of colours that will brighten the darkness we have been plunged into as a nation over the past decade.
“Indeed for political observers the merger began in the House a long time ago. We have as an opposition co-sponsored several bills, voted and spoke in unison on many issues that are of national importance and worked together as an opposition for the common good. Together, with progressive forces in the PDP we ensured the emergence of a Speaker elected independently by the House, a first in Nigerian democratic history.
“We will continue to strive to work together with the President for the common good. We will continue to disagree with him where we must and commend his efforts when they deserve commendation. This is the essence of true democracy and the true meaning of opposition and we trust that the PDP will also do likewise come 2015 when it plays the much needed role of opposition in our democracy.
“We wish to advise Mr President to disregard the advice of those who see every criticism as an attack on Mr President, they do not mean him well. Progressive ideology must often clash with conservatism, a contest and clash of ideas, policy and ideology in an advanced democracy is just that. It must never be debased to the level of personal attacks and persecution. Going forward and particularly in 2015 we must encourage issue based politics and elections. Having said this we once again extend a hand of fellowship to Mr President for the next two years before his presidency becomes lame duck, for us to work together for the benefit of those whom we represent.”
