Senator Kabir Gaya (APC-Kano South) on Tuesday said it was unfortunate that Second Republic lawmaker, Dr Junaid Mohammed, is unfairly criticizing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, despite the tangible success made by the VP.
He urged the VP not to be distracted in his official duties, by the allegations of nepotism leveled against him.
Dr. Mohammed, had alleged that Osinbajo, as Acting President in 2017, appointed people from his ethnic nationality and members of his church into government positions.
“I think before Junaid Mohammed speaks, he should be able to check the records of who are the staff of the Office of the Vice President.
“I think I remember vividly that we have a member of the House of Representatives from Tarauni Constituency (Kano State), who is from the Office of the Vice President.
“I think the vice president should disregard this issue and continue working as the vice president and for Nigeria. I believe he should not be distracted, Gaya said after a private meeting with Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Gaya, who is also the Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), also stated that there are many political parties in Nigeria, and most of them do not meet the conditions for their continued existence.
He disclosed that the National Assembly might consider the de-registration of some political parties in Nigeria.
He said: “We have 91 political parties and the court has added another political party, making it 92 and there are many applying. But there are criteria constitutionally that the parties should have a kind of qualification or, at least, requirement before they are registered or deregistered.
“So, actually, we are going to de-register almost 85 political parties because they are not qualified.
“They don’t even have a counselor or House of Assembly member. So, all those parties should be de-registered.”
Speaking on the forthcoming governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States, Gaya said that the Senate committee on INEC, has met with the chairman and other officials of the commission to ascertain their preparedness for the elections.
According to him, the INEC has assured of its readiness for a free, fair and credible election, and the National Assembly would give the commission the support it needs for the success of the elections.
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