Lawan: To Survive Beyond 2023, APC Must Deepen Internal Democracy

*Says opposition parties have been supportive of govt

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, has listed several conditions, including deepening internal democracy in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the party to retain power beyond the 2023 general election.

Lawan, who spoke Thursday while receiving a visiting delegation of the All Progressives Congress Youth National Lobby Committee in Abuja, also said the APC must ensure youth representation in governance to facilitate active participation in policy matters and decision-making processes.
The Senate President explained that concerted effort must be made by the ruling party to manage its successes by ensuring that it sustained practices that would deepen democracy at all levels.

According to him, delivering on key promises made to Nigerians ahead of 2023 elections, particularly, on the provision of critical infrastructure needed for development, remained a way to further boost the confidence of Nigerians in the party.

His words: “When we sit at a table like this, and many decisions will be taken, why can’t we have youth representation, because that is what will help them understand the logic, the philosophy of such decisions when they are taken and, therefore, they are better prepared to be in a position to do the same when they eventually become leaders, rather than always asking them to go and deal with youth matters?

“You can deal with youth matters, but I believe that you should also be part of major circles of the party. APC, at the risk of being very partisan, is blessed more than all the political parties in Nigeria today, because we control the federal government, the two chambers of the National Assembly, we have about 22 or 23 states and majority of state members of the state houses of assembly, chairmen of councils and councilors. This is a huge and massive blessing for our party but also a huge responsibility for it, because the party must succeed at the federal level.

“At the states that we control, we must continue to show the best examples on how good governance is enshrined and sustained and, of course, at the council levels. If we do that, we will be in power for as long as God wants us to be, and that will be a very long time. I don’t want to risk quoting a figure. PDP did and it became a curse.”

Lawan also disclosed that the unity of purpose among APC lawmakers was responsible for the cordial working relationship and support, which the party enjoyed from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the National Assembly.
His words: “Those of us of APC stock in the National Assembly, they understand right from the start that we had a date with history. We had an opportunity to do what is right, that is to work for the betterment of this country, work for our party in government to succeed, and ensure that Nigerians get the best possible dividend of democracy and, therefore, we decided to work together as ambassadors of the party.

“We have achieved that much and, because we are united, we are also able to have a very good and cordial working relationship with the opposition in the Senate and, indeed, the National Assembly. Sometimes, some partisan things will be said, but it is very understandable.

“I was in the opposition for sixteen years, so, I know the kind of thing I said, when I was in the opposition against government that was in control then. So, I can understand some of the things the opposition may say. But by and large, even the opposition has been supportive of our administration to a very large extent, and that is because our house is in order,” Lawan said.

Earlier, Chairman of the APC Youth National Lobby Committee, Ismaeel Ahmed, commended the Senate President for ensuring a harmonious working relationship between the National Assembly and Executive, as well as demonstrating “unparalleled commitment to the party”.

He identified the passage and assenting to the Petroleum Industry Act, the restoration of the budget cycle to January-December timeline, among other critical legislations, were historical feats achieved by the APC administration.