The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) yesterday condemned alleged plots to impose some persons as leaders in both chambers of the ninth National Assembly.
The spokesman for the coalition, Ikenga Ugochinyere, disclosed the position of the group during a press briefing in Abuja, where he also expressed support for the use of secret ballot for the election of the officers.
According to him, the voting method is the only way to stop desperate godfathers from foisting their stooges on the legislature.
The coalition also condemned moves to produce leaders from particular sections of the country, to the detriment of other sections, warning that the development portends danger to national unity and integration.
It noted that the north central, southeast and the south-south geo-political zones would be shortchanged if an arrangement by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Assembly’s leadership works out.
“The president is from the north west, the vice president is from the south west, and particularly Bourdillon Street. The three candidates for the senate presidency are from the northeast. How then can the speaker be anointed from the same southwest, thereby telling the good people of the southeast and north central to go to blazes? There can be no easier way to hurt national unity and the indivisibility of the country than what the APC is promoting.”
Bourdillon Street in Lagos houses the residence of influential APC National Leader Bola Tinubu. (Guardian)
