Senate caucus of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) have formally made a joint demand from the
leadership of the party for automatic return tickets to the National
Assembly in 2011, for themselves.
The demand may have confirmed
renewed speculations that the PDP senators may have sealed such deal
with the national leadership of the party.
National Chairman of the
party, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, had at a recent meeting with the
party caucus in the House of Representatives said that the high turn
over of lawmakers at the National Assembly was no longer acceptable
to the party.
In fact, Ogbulafor was
reported to have promised the lawmakers that the party would change
the trend in the 2011 election.
But hardly had the dust raised
by the promise settled than the PDP senators formally made the
demand for automatic return ticket for themselves in the 2011
election.
At an interactive session with
Ogbulafor, they said experiences and huge resources already invested
on them in the art of legislative assignment would be wasted if not
given opportunity to return.
Senate President, David Mark,
on behalf of his colleagues at the meeting told the party leadership
to consider the demand in the interest of the party in 2011
election.
He told Prince Ogbulafor that
the continued high turnover of lawmakers to the legislative house at
every election, does not give room for the growth of the
legislature.
Mark explained that unlike the
executive and the judiciary, the legislature which is the hallmark
of democracy needed to be sustained with growing experiences of the
legislators.
The President of the Senate
believes that the present crop of Senators have proven to be
reliable, competent and knowledgeable, besides the harmony between
them and the executive arm of government.
His said: Harmony, peace and
cordiality, are needed ingredients for development. We must sustain
an experienced and stable legislature which is the needed antidote
for the sustenance and growth of democracy."
Mark however clarified that in
as much as the Senate would cooperate with the executive in the
discharge of its service delivery to the people, "the Senate is
mindful of its independence and legislative duties, we shall not
compromise on this".
Ogbulafor in a response
however promised that the party would consider the request even as
he praised the cordial relationship between the Senate and the
executive arm of government and urged for its sustenance.
Ogbulafor said the PDP
government has lived up to its billings and promised that the issue
of automatic ticket would be considered in due course.