AAC accuses senate of trying to privatise, commercialise legislative duties

The National Working Committee of the African Action Congress (AAC)  has accused the senate of trying to privatise and commercialise legislative duties in Nigeria.

The party said it is in receipt of an invitation for candidates and political party leaders to attend a sensitization workshop on the Electoral Act and other electoral matters.

According to the party, the said letter insinuates that the Senate in collaboration with some “consultants” of one Global Gold Consult is organising the one-day sensitization event per zones and has attached a fee for registration.

In a statement by Femi Adeyeye, National Publicity Secretary, African Action Congress on Sunday, the party said it condemns in the strongest terms this privatization of legislative duties by the Senate committee and the contracting of such to Global Gold Consult, which in turn then charged the sum of Fifty thousand Naira (50,000) per participant. “We ask that this should be reversed immediately,” it said.

The statement reads: “Some of the questions that the Senate committee may have to answer include – If the government was actually for the people, why should people pay to be part of government process?  Is there no budget already for this legislative function? Should Nigerians be denied the said knowledge, which is the duty of the Senate Committee just because they can’t afford the fee? Will such be fair and just in a supposed democracy?

Actions like these are part of the processes that eventually breed corrupt political leaders in our society and we are against such.

“Our party, the African Action Congress is not interested in building plutocrats as politicians. If the tea and lunch are the reasons for the fee attached, our candidates who are already mobilized to attend won’t be having those.

“We urge all relevant authorities, especially the Senate to look into this matter, reverse the privatization of their duties and do what is right for the Nigerian people. “