S/West youth group warns APC Senator-elect against pursuing selfish interests

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Senators elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have been advised not to take actions that could jeopardize the interest of the electorate.

The warning was given Monday by Southwest Progressive Youth Movement (SPYM) at a press briefing in Lagos. Coordinator of the movement, Mr. Taiwo Ajayi, called on the Senators-elect to be alive to their responsibilities to the people rather than pursue personal interests.

According to Ajayi, the call was borne out of reports that the incumbent Senate President, Senator David Mark, was making plans to return as Senate President; which has reportedly led to overtures being made to some APC senators, who might be aggrieved with the APC’s power sharing formula.

The SPYM coordinator argued that leadership of the Senate in the next dispensation remained the exclusive preserve of the APC since the party would be in the majority.

“We want to call on the entire Senators elected under the progressive platform (APC) to be more alive to their responsibilities this time around. The future of Nigeria should not be put in jeopardy. Nigerians have voted for them for serious legislative business and not to sell our future to the money-bag politicians to occupy positions for their selfish interest. They should be aware that Nigerians are watching them; they should see themselves as role-models to the youth. The leadership of the Senate belongs to the progressives this time and it is not negotiable”, he maintained.

Meanwhile, the SPYM condemned the impeachment of the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi by the State legislature.

According to Ajayi, “the impeachment was vindictive on the part of the State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko”.

Ajayi said: “We want to say here that we are condemning this act; if the Deputy Governor is to be impeached for his defection to another political party of choice, then each member of the Ondo State House of Assembly must be impeached too for their defection from Labour Party to People’s Democratic Party (PDP), alongside the Ondo State Governor who also defected to the PDP, even without any internal crisis”.

The Southwest Youth group also hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for institutionalizing a new democratic culture in the country, “which in turn gave the youth a hope of a better tomorrow”.

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of Professor Attahiru Jega, for conducting a well-accepted election.

“It is no gainsaying, Professor Attahiru Jega has written his name in the sand of time”, the group stressed.