Scandal has become something of a second nature to a number of members of the National Assembly. It’s a sordid narrative that has characterized that hallowed chamber since its inception. To say that the National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) has somewhat become a filthy political arena where all manner of indiscretions are now commonplace, is not been unkind.
Within the past 17 years of the current democratic dispensation, Nigerians have watched in disbelief, sadness, shame, as controversies and drama unfold like nightmares in both chambers. They come sometimes like horror movie. Even as disheartening and embarrassing as they are, they must draw your attention.
If in doubt, consider these scandalous episodes. Once upon a time, early in this dispensation, a certain Salisu Buhari was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. He didn’t last for too long. Indeed, it was less than five months. His tenure was rocked by scandal bordering on his academic qualifications. About 8 years later, one professional hairdresser called Hon. Patricia Etteh presided over the House. Her reign was short-lived. It was marred by financial improprieties. The free-for-all-fight that ensued claimed at least the life of one member of the House. Over these years, the House of Representatives counted more victims than survivors. The story is not different from that of the senate. Here, bribery allegations, forgery and other sundry charges were common vices. Few could survive the proverbial “banana peeling”.
Very often, questions have been asked to why our lawmakers are so undisciplined, unrestraining in matters of graft, bribery and other immoral and foolish acts. Is it in their DNA, or in the nature of our politics, which some folks have described as a treacherous mistress?
I don’t know the answer. Last week, when we thought the members of the House of Representatives have “matured” and self-restrained in matters of the flesh, a sex scandal involving three members of the House broke in far away United States where they have gone leadership program. At least, the much that we have been told, is very disturbing.
The accuser is not an ordinary person. He is a renowned American Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle. In a letter dated June 9, 2016, addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, the US envoy alleged that three members of the House, namely, Hon. Mark Gbillah (APC, Benue), Hon. Garba Gololo (APC, Bauchi) and Samuel Ikon (PDP, Akwa Ibom), had on a recent visit to the US solicited for sex from prostitutes and grabbing a hotel housekeeper in a bid to rape her.
The lawmakers were in America, courtesy of the International Visitor Leadership Programme. Hon. Gbillah is the Deputy Chairman, Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream). This is a high-ranking position. Their alleged misconduct has indeed brought disrepute to the Nigerian parliament. From whatever angle you look at this alleged peccadillo, attempt to procure illicit sex, going by the petition of the US ambassador to Nigeria, is an incalculable dent on our national image. It’s something terribly wrong, an indiscretion that must attract serious punishment.
Lets give the lawmakers the benefit of the doubt that they did not commit the offence. They have denied the allegations and gone a step further and threatened to sue the ambassador and the US government for “character defamation and a calculated attempt to ridicule the National Assembly”.
Expectedly, high-octane reactions have trailed these allegations since the US envoy unleashed the accusations. We hope the allegation is false. It will also be interesting to see how the lawmakers would be able to successfully institute a legal action against a diplomat, one who has diplomatic immunity and cannot be sued in Nigeria.
Is it possible that Ambassador Entwistle went out of his way to single out three of the lawmakers out of 10 of them that were in that Leadership Programme in Cleveland, Ohio? What will the ambassador gain by that? From whatever prism you look at it, this charge is serious and should be treated as such. The incident of sexual misconduct, particularly rape, when reported, is a grievous offence, and in America, regardless of who you are, the suspects will be made to face the full weight of the law applicable if found guilty as charged. Inappropriate sexual relations is something to be ashamed of. It’s an abuse of office. It undermines legislative privilege.
Well, it’s not out of place for Speaker Dogara to throw his weight behind the accused lawmakers. Less than two days after he gave his support to investigate the alleged sex scandal against the three lawmakers, Dogara changed his mind. Now, he says the United States should provide evidence against the Reps. “Judgment can only be passed when an allegation is proven”, the speaker was reported to have said.
The good news is that, he has expressed the readiness of the House to work with the US Embassy in Nigeria to “unravel the truth and punish the offenders when proven guilty”. But Dogara insists that until the investigation proved the lawmakers guilty, they are “free and innocent citizens”. It is in the best interest and that of the House that he presides to ensure unhindered investigation into this sordid affair. Dogara should also remember that the image of the House and that of the country is at stake. The Speaker should not forget that in the eyes of many Nigerians and foreigners, he (Dogara) is seen as a decent man, someone who has raised the bar of integrity in the House. And now, the indiscretions of these three lawmakers could put a question mark on his leadership and integrity of the House. Integrity is at the core of public opinion regarding any democratic institution. Therefore, Dogara should not rubbish his own badge of integrity by lending support to men who cannot resist anything in skirts.
Those who stood solidly with Dogara since he emerged Speaker and in the manner he became Speaker are keenly watching how this sex scandal involving his three colleagues unfolds. What is happening to the accused lawmakers should serve as a lesson for the rest. According to American political historian, Robert A. Caro, no one can effectively lead who does not first acquire power. But anyone exercising power without knowledge of how to use it, or using it for selfish interest, is bound to regret it. For power to be useful, it must be used for great purposes. Nothing less.