The members of the Nigerian National Assembly have turned themselves into comics, they seems not to be in tune with reality and sufferings of Nigerians. The exhibition of selfishness by these legislators is preposterous, shameful and appalling. A section of the Senate loyal to the Dr. Bukola Saraki is threatening to impeach the President Muhammadu Buhari simply because the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami sanctioned the criminal case against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and two others over the forgery of Senate Rules.
The House of Representatives had a tumultuous session over a bill seeking to provide immunity for principal officers of the National Assembly. Sponsor of the bill intending to alter section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, Leo Ogor (PDP-Delta), said that immunity for the leadership of the legislature would guarantee its independence.
The National Assembly has become an albatross to the growth and development of the country. In other climes, the legislators primarily concern themselves with enacting laws that will uplift their society, ensure justice and growth of the economy. Of what importance is immunity for legislators when we are still debating the possibility of amending the constitutions in regards to immunity for the executive which has been flagrantly abused?
The charade in the Senate is new low, why is Saraki so afraid to face the law if truly his hands are clean. Forgery is a big crime and we will adore him and Ekweremadu more if they can clear themselves of any complicity in the allegation. To threaten to impeach the President or other the arrest of the AGF is just a red herring; the leadership of the Senate should answer to the allegations leveled against them.
The two chambers of the National Assembly should tell Nigerians one law they’ve enacted since they came in that truly enhanced the betterment of our lives. All they’ve done is to enact laws that promote their self perpetuation and interest. I laugh watching the debate on the Senate floor on constituency project as all manners of reason and justification were given to defend it. Please, could the Senate list any meaningful constituency projects they done since 1999? Constituency project is just a means to enrich them. Better still, a conduit pipe for corruption. I have never seen any concrete constituency project except some dry and non-functioning boreholes, ill equipped and ill staff community clinics and other sundry ineffectual projects.
The Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara must change the direction of their respective chambers. Yes, the legislators are indispensable in a democratic setting but we want a vibrant and resourceful legislature, not this caricature. I have nothing against the legislature standing its ground and maintaining its independence from the executive and the judiciary but we need to start seeing constructive debates and enactment of developmental laws and not this shenanigan show of power and trivial politics.
