Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has been urged to honour the presiding officers of the National Assembly in the Third Republic, for resisting an attempt by the military to use the legislature to legitimise the annulment of June 12 presidential election.
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Emma Nwaka, who represented Abia North district comprising part of today’s Ebonyi State in the Third Republic, made the advocacy in a statement he issued in Abuja.
Senator Nwaka argued that the presiding officers and members of the Third Republic were the true heroes of Nigeria’s democracy, for courageously refusing to do the bidding of the then ruling military junta despite the consequences.
The former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abia State, spoke on the heels of President Tinubu’s proposed joint address of the National Assembly as part of activities marking this year’s Democracy Day celebration on June 12.
He commended President Tinubu “for choosing to address Nigerians from the hallowed Chambers of National Assembly in commemoration of this year’s Democracy Day celebrations,” saying that the decision was a recognition of the President’s respect and values for the legislature.
Senator Nwaka urged the President to “seize the moment to honour the presiding officers of the 3rd Republic National Assembly, namely: Senator Ameh Ebute, Senator Albert Legogie, Rt. Honourable Agunwa Anekwe and Rt. Hon. Musa , among others, bearing in mind that they resisted the plans by the military to use the legislature to legitimise the annulment of June 12 presidential election.”
The ex-lawmaker recalled how the military arrested presiding officers and some members of the Third Republic including President Tinubu (then a member of the Senate), and himself (Nwaka), for standing on the side of the people against the wishes of the military.
He said: “In fact, President Tinubu was among the Senators who were arrested and remanded in prison custody for their efforts to reconvene the National Assembly.
“For their democratic credentials, members of the Third Republic National Assembly should not be consigned to the dustbin of history, more so as the President-elect of that Republic (Moshood Abiola) and his Vice have been honoured.
“Senator Ameh Ebute was the Senate President with Senator Albert Legogie as his Deputy, Rt. Hon Agunwa Anekwe was the Speaker of the House of Representatives with Rt. Hon. Musa Kwankwaso as his Deputy
“I was on my way to Lagos to attend the meeting of the proscribed National Assembly aimed at reconvening the Assembly and was arrested at Ikeja Airport by the personnel of the Department of State Security. I was detained at their Shangisha office and later moved to their Awolowo Road Headquarters from where I was released.”
The statement further read: “It’s indeed heartwarming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu chose to address Nigerians from the hallowed Chambers of National Assembly in commemoration of this year’s Democracy Day celebrations.
“This gesture speaks volumes about the President’s recognition that the parliament is the fulcrum of democracy.
“Against this backdrop, it’s indeed fitting that the presidential address on June 12, 2025 will happen at the National Assembly, more so as the President started his political journey as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Those of us who had the privilege of serving with the President in the 3rd Republic Senate, are really proud that our class produced the current President of Nigeria.”
Senator Nwaka, expressed confidence that Nigeria’s democracy would be strengthened if the arms of Government are alive to their responsibilities.
