NNPP Slams NASS Over Silence On Tinubu’s Extended Vacation

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has slammed the National Assembly over its silence on President Bola Tinubu’s extended working vacation in Europe, describing it as an institutional failure.

Speaking to Leadership Newspapers on Monday in Abuja, on the President’s prolonged absence, Major said leaders must be accountable by doing the right thing always, noting that the real essence of checks and balances which is the hub around which democracy revolves is being undermined.

He said a balanced National Assembly would have risen to its task of defending the Constitution when breached, adding that Nigerians must guard against such institutional failure going forward.

“Leaders must be accountable by doing the right thing always. The real essence of checks and balances which is the hub around which democracy revolves is undermined here. A balanced National Assembly would have risen up to its task of defending the Constitution when breached,” Major said.

On whether governance has suffered in the President’s absence since August 30th, the NNPP Chairman said no severe gaps have been observed, insisting that governance is still on course and there is no cause for alarm.

He also defended the aledged President’s decision to celebrate the 66th Independence Anniversary in Lagos and stay back in his private home for days before returning to Abuja.

According to him, the President may have chosen to have some more rest or private consultations having been away for some time, stressing that since it is campaign season and the President is a candidate, his movement cannot be censored.

Major however charged the National Assembly to wake up to its constitutional responsibility, warning that no democracy survives without adherence to the rule of law.

“The National Assembly should wake up to its responsibility of defending the Constitution. No democracy survives if rule of law is not adhered to. They should do their job always,” he stated.

He reiterated the party’s call for constitutional amendment to ensure that incumbents do not remain in office during campaign and election periods in order to avoid conflicts of this nature.