The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described as quite misleading reports in the media on Tuesday that its Senators disobeyed the party’s directive to its members in the National Assembly to block all Executive Bills until the restoration of law and order in Rivers.
The party was reacting to media reports that its members attended the screening of newly appointed Service Chiefs on Monday.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the opposition party said the reports were borne out of the gross misunderstanding of filibustering as a veritable democratic tool to impede legislation by obstructive tactics.
“We never directed our members in the National Assembly to boycott the chambers’ sessions, whether it is screening of appointees or plenary. What we said is that they should block Executive Bills. In any case, a Senator or an Honourable member can only filibuster when he is in attendance. Fillibuster does not equate to boycott or non-attendance”, APC said.
On the screening of the Service Chiefs, APC said it was fully aware that its members would participate in the process, “just as we are sure they will be part of any debate on the issue, and we have no problems with that. After all they were elected to attend the National Assembly sessions and fully participate in its activities. But their contributions will help swing things one way or the other. That is the crux of the matter”.
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