The pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, on Friday condemned the directive issued by the All Progressives Congress, APC, to its members in the National Assembly to work against the interest of the Federal Government.
The APC issued the directive in a communique issued at the end of its 8th Interim National Executive Committee Meeting, Thursday in Abuja.
The committee had directed its members in the National Assembly to block all legislative proposals.
Mr. Yinka OdunmakinIt cited some of the legislative proposals to be blocked to include the 2014 Budget and the confirmation of all nominees to military and civilian positions, pending the resolution of the crisis in Rivers State
Spokesman of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, said that the directive was tantamount to shutting down the country.
“The most dangerous of the APC’s recommendation is encouraging its members to engage in things that may lead to instability.
“The APC fails to think of the implications of not passing the budget and its effect on Nigerian masses.
“Also, if approval for the service chiefs is not given by NASS because of political disagreements in a state, it may lead to mutiny.
“This recommendation is also coming at a time when Boko Haram is intensifying its activities in Nigeria.
“We condemn this directive in its totality because it is a threat to our democracy.”
In his reaction, the Lagos State Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Mr Ehi Omokhuale, described the directive as insensitive.
“Politicians should limit their selfish fights to themselves.
“The APC wants to use its political interest to affect the welfare of Nigerian citizens.
“We do not support it and we demand that the party retraces its steps on this issue immediately,” Omokhuale said.
Also speaking, Mr. Adesina Animashaun, the National Chairman of the Patriotic Vanguard, a non-governmental body, said that the directive might lead to anarchy.
“It is unfathomable how a party leadership could meet and issue such directive.
“The masses will definitely be at the receiving end and it will put Nigeria in a big crisis.”
He urged APC members in the National Assembly to disregard the directive and do what was right for “God and Man.
Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Minority Leader, House of Representatives, however, disagreed, saying that APC members in the lower legislative chamber would ensure the enthronement of good governance in Nigeria.
Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos), who made the pledge in an interview, stated that government shut-down was not new in party politics.
“Government shut-down or filibustering is nothing new in party politics world over,” he said.
The legislator explained that the common man had not benefitted adequately from previous budgets in the country.
“Of what benefits has the passage of budgets been to the common man,” he queried, adding that the extraordinary measures adopted by the APC would ensure good governance.
