The former National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muiz Banire, on Thursday covertly sent strong word to his erstwhile political principal in Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose loyal senators in the National Assembly opposed his confirmation by the Senate for his appointment as Chairman of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). Banire unequivocally cautioned that no dynasty or empire lasts forever.
President Muhammadu Buhari had nominated and communicated to the Senate for confirmation the appointment, Muiz Banire SAN which was read to the senate by Senate President Bukaola Saraki at the Tuesday sitting.
Solomon Adeola, representing Lagos West Senatorial District, presented a petition signed by two other senators from Lagos State, Oluremi Tinubu and Gbenga Ashafa, against Banire’s nomination, demanding the Senate to turn down the nomination of the President.
Muiz Banire chided the Lagos Senators for opposing his nomination for appointment by the President as Chairman of the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), ridiculing that unlike them, he does not need a political job to survive.
National Daily gathered that Banire had argued that his nomination is not a quota appointment or allocation of Lagos State that requires special approval of the senators, adding that he was nominated as a Nigerian because the President has a lot of confidence in him.
Banire declared: “In the first place, let me recognize the constitutional right of the three senators to express their views without hindrance. It is part of the democratic tenets we all cherish and strive to protect at all time.
“Equally, because of the respect I have for the offices of the senators, I will not join issues with them, particularly when it has become traditional and conventional for them to be objectors on occasions such as this.
“All I can say is that I wish them well and remind them that no dynasty or empire lasts forever. Whatever has a beginning will have an end.
“However, it is necessary to point out to interested or concerned members of the Nigerian citizenry that my nomination in the first place is not a quota appointment (as the three politicians and distinguished senators may have wrongly perceived) requiring their special approval to deal with.
“I was nominated simply as a Nigerian in whom the appointer has a lot of confidence and who is prepared to give his all in service of his fatherland.
“Beyond the above, let me also state clearly that I am blessed with so many alternative contact addresses and consequently, do not desperately need a political job to survive.
“It is those who are professional politicians and whose survival depends on such that can be so threatened. Here I am, a professional in politics.
“Of course, if this is a continuation of the consistent harassment, intimidation and threat to gag my advocacy for good governance and the rule of law, the effect unfortunately is otherwise.
“It strengthens me further and makes me resolute in my crusade. I shall continue to interrogate and agitate issues of good governance and rule of law, regardless of whose ox is gored.
“I am already demonstrating through my activities and engagements in several other spheres that I do not need to occupy a public office to add value to our community and nation.
“My relevance does not lie in public office or wealth. I have said it that I will continue to challenge the warped order till the ultimate change comes, sooner than later.
“Finally, let me equally apologise to those who feel I am not submissive to worshiping them. It is not my making but the covenant I have with my God, to whom all power belongs. They should bear with me as I am incapacitated in this regard.”
The three senators are products of the Tinubu dynasty in Lagos. Banire has been having running battle with the dynasty over the years, and is tainted as a member of the Abuja Forces perceived to be battling to dismantle the home dynasty in the south west.