Adams Oshiomhole, former APC National Chairman and senator representing Edo North, believed that the growing number of lawmakers defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) doesn’t pose a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
“Whether this is a danger to democracy? No, I don’t think so,” Oshiomhole stated this on Tuesday on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He emphasised that an APC majority won’t eliminate debates or dissent in the National Assembly, adding that lawmakers often vote based on issues, not party lines.
“If you’ve been following debates in the Senate, sometimes you can’t even distinguish who is PDP or APC in terms of the positions people take,” he said.
Oshiomhole cited the United States as an example, where a president having control of both Congress and the Senate is celebrated.
“Every government wants that because democracy, in a sense, is not only a means to an end it is an end in itself.
”The right to contribute and the freedom to express yourself are part of what defines democracy, not just the number of parties represented,” he argued.
Oshiomhole prioritised national interest over party allegiance, stating, “If you watch my contributions on the floor of the Senate, the first party is the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
”I’ve argued, and I make no apologies, that the total of all political parties in Nigeria, whether in or out of government, is not equivalent to Nigeria.
”If I see a conflict between party interest and national interest, I have no difficulty in resolving it in favour of Nigeria.”
Oshiomhole, however expressed joy over recent defections, particularly those of APC co-founders.
“I was particularly excited because those who joined us today include co-founders of the APC.
” When a founder of a house returns to the house, those of us who have been there and missed their absence, it’s a thing of joy,” he said.
Regarding his 2019 comment, “when you join the APC, your sins are forgiven,” Oshiomhole claimed it was taken out of context and used to cause mischief. “It hurt me. That was mischief,” he said.
The APC’s numerical strength in the Senate increased to 68 after Senators Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki defected from the PDP.
The current Senate composition is APC: 68, PDP: 30, Labour Party: 5, NNPP: 1, SDP: 2, APGA: 1
Meanwhile, Oshiomhole supported the House of Representatives’ rejection of a bill proposing rotational presidency, saying, “The defeat of the rotational presidency motion, in my view, is appropriate.
” To try to use law to enforce geography as a basis, I don’t find much merit in it. Tinubu didn’t need rotation to be president, he fought his way through.”
