With barely two months to the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly (NASS), the race for the leadership of the two chambers, comprising the Senate and House of representatives, has commenced. The contestants cut across the six geo-political zones of the country. The All Progressives Congress (APC), which has the majority in both chambers, is yet to decide on the criteria for sharing the leadership positions in the parliament.
However, many aspirants from its fold and other political parties, such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and others are already indicating interest to contest the various positions. Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides for a bi-cameral legislature. It states as follows: “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.”
The Standing Order 3, Rule 2 of the Senate Standing Orders 2022 as amended, provides that the nomination of presiding officers and appointments of principal officers and other officers of the Senate shall be by the ranking of Senators. In determining rank, preference will be given to (i) Senators returning based on the number of times reelected; (ii) Senators who had been members of the House of Representatives, and (iii) Senators elected as Senators for the first time.
By convention, it is the party with the majority that provides the leadership. Notwithstanding the established rules, both old and new lawmakers are already jostling for the leadership positions. Lawmakers of opposition political parties are also forming coalitions to determine who emerges the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, among other positions.
So far, those eyeing the 10th Senate presidency are serving Senate President, Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North); Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East); Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North); Senator Jibrin Barau (APC Kano North); Senator Godswill Akpabio (APC, Akwa Ibom North-West) and Deputy Senate leader, Senator Abdul Ningi (APC, Bauchi Central). The rest include Senator Abdul-Aziz Yari (APC, Zamfara); Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South); Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West); Governor David Umahi (APC, Ebonyi South) and Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North).
For the Speakership position, no fewer than 10 persons are vying for it. The only female aspirant among them is Princess Onuoha (APC, Imo). Apart from the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, other principal officers include the Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader, Chief Whip, Minority Leader and Minority Whip. The various offices are contentious given the power and influence that come with them. Given the diversity and complexity of the country, there is need to carry every segment along in the sharing of political offices at the national level. No section of the country should be excluded. Equitable distribution of the offices makes will go a long way in dousing the tension arising from the general election.
However, in choosing the leadership of the next NASS, emphasis will be placed on experience, competence and the federal character principle. Let the lawmakers be allowed to freely choose their leaders without undue interference from the executive arm of government. Nigerians are in need of a vibrant, committed and visionary NASS that will robustly debate any issue before taking a decision. We need a legislature that will put the executive arm in check. We need a legislature that will make good laws for Nigerians, laws that will ensure good governance, equity, justice, political inclusion and free, fair and transparent elections.
There will be no room for a ‘rubber-stamp’ NASS leadership this time around. The legislature is a very important arm of government. It is one of the pillars of democracy. If the legislative arm of government falters, democracy is imperiled. The challenges facing the country call for a NASS that will be alive to its oversight functions. We need a legislature that will always defend the Constitution and be on the side of the Nigerian people.
Therefore, the leaders of the 10th NASS should be experienced, competent and patriotic men and women who will put the nation first before any other consideration. We need selfless, exemplary and forthright men and women as leaders of the next NASS. In spite of our 24 years of unbroken democracy, Nigerians are still grappling with poverty, misery, economic hardship, erratic power supply, food insecurity and the brain drain in the health sector.
Our diversity, which ought to be our strength, has been deployed by our politicians to further divide us. We need laws that will further unify Nigerians so that we start seeing ourselves first as Nigerians and not from our ethnic configurations or faith identities. The leadership of the 10th NASS should be willing to make a difference and make laws that will strengthen our unity and democracy.