By Dom Isute
Members of the National Assembly who served in the Third Republic have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appreciate the sacrifices they made to enthrone democracy by settling their
entitlements.
The Publicity Secretary of the Forum of the members of the House of Representatives in the Third Republic, Rt. Hon Gabriel Eni Otu who made this appeal in an interview with newsmen in Abakaliki commended the Federal Government over its recognition of Late Chief Moshood Abiola and his running mate in the June 12, 1993, election, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe as heroes of democracy but lamented that the National Assembly that thwarted the machinations of military at that time to confine June 12 to the dustbin of history have been largely forgotten.
Rt. Hon Eni Otu announced that the Third Republic legislators rejected the overtures, coercion and inducements from the military to accept a bill authenticating the annulment of the June 12 election.
He regretted that over 300 members of the Forum have died without their entitlements and appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR who was also part of the Forum to consider the plight of the former legislators.
While pledging their solidarity and support for President Tinubu”s second term; Rt Hon Otu stated that the group would mobilise during the campaign to ensure he is re-elected next year.
According to him, the group is ready to put on notice not only members of their families but also their associates and friends to ensure victory for President Tinubu and the APC. He argued that the President having been a part and parcel of the Third Republic was in a position to ameliorate the sufferings and hardship facing the former NASS members who have been been denied their entitlements by past administrations.
The former legislator who recalled the role played by then Senator Tinubu in the Third Republic and the struggle for democracy called on him to show love to his colleagues adding that they are even more prepared now to co-opt extended family members and associates to work towards the re-election. He maintained that many of the former parliamentarians still have the capacity to influence the electorate on the need to vote for a second term for the President.
