The All Progressives Congress has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, and its National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, for the party’s victory in the election of Principal Officers for the Ninth National Assembly.
The party also congratulated governors, the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee, other party leaders; members and supporters on the success of its candidates.
In a veiled reference to the Peoples Democratic Party, the APC said the victories of its candidates signalled the defeat of impunity of a minority party.
Senator Ahmad Lawan was elected as the Senate President; Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy Senate President; Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker and Idris Wase as Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives.
According to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Lanre Issa-Onilu, the landslide victory by APC candidates is a triumph of democracy and party politics over the brazen lawlessness of anti-democratic forces in the opposition party.
The statement said, “Our party has consistently maintained that the leadership of the National Assembly belongs to the party in the majority. The outcome of these elections has clearly validated our party’s efforts to institutionalise party discipline and loyalty.
“It is triumph of internal democracy, anchored on consensus building, to which we lay claim, over anti-democratic methods that the Peoples Democratic Party had foisted on our democracy over 16 years.
“We are deeply humbled by the honour bestowed on our great party. While members of our great party are entitled to savour this victory, we call on all to avoid pettiness and to continue to stretch hands of fellowship to progressive forces in other political parties and groups to consolidate our democracy.
“On the strength of our overwhelming numerical strength in the just inaugurated ninth National Assembly and election of the party’s adopted candidates as presiding officers in its two chambers, we must recommit to cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.”
