A Federal lawmaker, Senator Ahmed Ogembe, has said that elected public office holders across the country should not restrict themselves to working with only members of their political parties in discharging the functions of their offices.
Ogembe, who is currently representing Kogi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, said that public office holders should be able to work together harmoniously in the interest of the state without regard and recourse to political party affiliation.
The lawmaker stated this while speaking with our correspondent in an exclusive interview in Abuja. He stressed that as political leaders, the delivery of democracy dividends to the electorate should be more paramount and placed above partisan politics.
Ogembe said that was why he believed in having a cordial relationship with Governor Yahaya Bello in the development of the state inspite of the fact that they both belong to different political parties.
We must be able to work together in the interest of the state
He said, “Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has remained a very close friend despite the fact that he is in APC while I am in PDP.
The most important thing is that, irrespective of our different political parties, we must be able to work together in the interest of the state.
“As leaders, we must be able to deliver dividends of democracy to the needy. Irrespective of political differences, we must be able to converge and deliver to the masses, the goods they desire for which we have been voted into office.
“Politics has no greater purpose than to improve the lives of the people. I am very happy that Governor Yahaya Bello and I have been doing our best.”
Senator Ogembe, therefore, urged Ni- g e r i a n politicians to eschew politics of bitterness in their quest to serve the people.
“Nigerians should learn to end the politics of rancour and strong-arm. I don’t believe that I should reward evildoers with evil.
God rewards all. God never commanded anyone to do any evil, so nobody has the licence to perpetrate evil. If you want to reward evil with evil, there will be no end to evil occurrences in the world.
“There is so much dissatisfaction and complaints from the public, no matter how sincerely you try your best. I am in office as a result of the love I have for the people and the love they still have for me.
I have no regrets when some rival folks resort to lies in order to destroy me and mutilate my reputation.
“Though not all criticisms are constructive, but I have decided to regard criticisms as though they are constructive so that I will be able to turn it into advantage by bettering myself, even when they intend to destroy me with it,” he said.
He also noted that the recent defection of some members of his Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress would not have any serious effect on the fortunes of the main opposition party.
