THERE are ominous signals about the present democratic dispensation. It is a cause for concern for Nigerians who believe in the continued unity of this country, the principle of separation of power as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. My concern is the happenings in the upper legislative chambers, the Senate.
For days now, Nigerians have been entertained with the high drama in the red chamber. The first of such dramas was the confirmation session with the Chairman of the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu. Twice he appeared in the upper chambers for confirmation, twice the senate found him unworthy. I won’t go into the propriety or otherwise of what took place. We all know the story. But for now, Magu continues his work in acting capacity. The decision not to confirm Magu led to different opinions on the matter. Some asked how worthy are those who rejected Magu’s confirmation, believing that anybody that would come to equity must come with clean hands.
The other drama has to do with the Comptroller-General (CG) of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Col Hammed Ali, (rtd). The CG was invited by the Senate to defend his directives compelling his operatives to stop motorists on the road and demand for documents indicating that they duly pay the appropriate duties for their vehicles. Many Nigerians had frowned at the directive and the cry had got to the Senate, leading to the invitation.
On the two occasions that Col Ali eventually appeared in the Senate, he was not “appropriately” dressed as he was not wearing the uniform of the immigration services. He was, of course, turned back. A case has since been instituted in court to determine whether he could be compelled to wear the uniform.
The third drama. The Senate had equally invited the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal to answer issues bordering on anomalies in the awards of certain contracts in the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP) camps by Rholavision Engineering, a
company he is alleged to have interest. He equally went to court to stop his invitation by the Senate. The Managing Director of the company, taking a cue from the SGF’s action equally went to court to stop the invitation. The SGF is said to have made a u-turn on the matter.
The latest is the invitation extended to erudite scholar, Professor Itse Sagay, chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption,for describing the distinguished Senators in unpalatable terms.Professor Sagay has told the distinguished Senators where they should shove their invitation.
In all the above, there are indications of problem. It is rather bemusing that the Senate has been brought to that level of disrespect where its directives no longer carry weight. Indeed, not a few Nigerians have equated the institution of the senate with the individual.
That is why some would always cast aspersions on the Senate in the discharge of its duties. But if there are certain elements in the Senate that are not worthy, definitely, it cannot be all of them. It would then amount to a disservice to tar some of these people. In any case, there are means by which these people found unworthy could be recalled. This is an area Nigerians have not explored.
In all these, the institution of the Senate should not be ridiculed. The National Assembly which comprises the House of Representatives and the Senate is vested with the legislative power of the country. Section 4(1), (2)states: “The Legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be vested in a National Assembly for the Federation which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives”, while Section 4(2) states : “The National Assembly shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the federation with respect to any matter included in the Exclusive Legislative List”.
On this legislative list are 68 items that only the National Assembly can legislate on, they include defense, aviation, currency, customs and excise duties, citizenship, drugs and poisons, copyright, insurance, external affairs and meteorology.
The role of the National Assembly can thus be summed up into three; lawmaking, representation and oversight. It is thus in the discharge of its duties that it can take on any individual in the country especially holding a position of trust on behalf of the people.
It is part of its oversight function. The National Assembly is independent of the other arms of government and that independence should be respected for the sustenance of democracy