The unfolding events in our legislative chambers should easily be sources of grave concern to the discerning. Here we have vestiges of a defeated political apparatchik managing a spectacular comeback by working in cahoots with reactionary elements of the ruling party.
The unfolding events in our legislative chambers should easily be sources of grave concern to the discerning. Here we have vestiges of a defeated political apparatchik managing a spectacular comeback by working in cahoots with reactionary elements of the ruling party.
Our collective desire to oust the PDP from governing Nigeria was not borne out of flimsy whims or the sort. Here was a party that had mismanaged our country’s resources, encouraged corruption and incompetence to the extent that these vices were almost going to consume the nation itself until the will of the people prevailed. How then can it be that this same party will control the upper and lower houses by ruling through proxies? How can Senators Ekweremadu and Mark emerge yet again as principal officers of the 8th assembly? Pray, what outstanding bills did these fellows pass all though their just bygone prefecture to justify their re-introduction into office? How can 57 senators – most of them PDP, “elect” their President, while the remaining 51 weren’t seated? These are indeed interesting times in our democratic evolution.
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While the House Speaker’s election seemed to play out as a simple game of numbers, yet again we saw the PDP succeeding in pushing its will through. We commend the APC legislators for staying true to their commitment as demonstrated during their party’s mock elections. The implication of both developments, if they stand, is that the PDP’s conservative agenda will again find its way into prominence in our new democratic dispensation. It means that legislation to strengthen anti-corruption agencies and the judiciary in discharging their duties will be frustrated. We stand the risk of having the passage of bills which will lead to reasonable improvement in the quality of life of Nigerians stalled because we yet again have establishment folks as presiding officers of our National Assembly, emphasis on the Senate. This is not what the majority of Nigerians voted for.
And it must not stand. The developments are a charge to the President to get down to the business of governing and politicking. He must now project his constitutionally-endowed powers, and must be seen to be resolute and unrepentant in the discharge of same. While we strongly identify with the APC’s statement issued after the said elections, we implore them to ensure to consolidate power before they wield it. They’ll easily remember that the attempt to “discipline” Premier Akintola at the party’s convention in Jos frustrated the latter into an alliance with the NPC, initiating a string of events that led to the collapse of the first republic. The same scenario played out in ’83 in Ondo between the UPN, Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Akin Omoboriowo. And we cannot forget in a hurry that Alh. Bamanga Tukur’s penchant for having his way no matter whose ox is gored led to the recent implosion of the PDP.
Again, the President and his party must now get their act together and manage the situation. Nigeria still needs a strong APC at this time so they should skillfully meander out of the quandary they’ve found themselves in. The most important thing is that the party must not lose the trust and connection that it has with the people. Immediate action on naming a cabinet or a semblance of same or even making specific policy statements on the oil industry or anti-corruption at this material time will certainly reinforce the now-waning confidence that Nigerians have in the party. Now is the time for action.
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As for Nigerians, we have our job cut out for us. We cannot entrust good governance to political parties and partisans alone. We must stand sentinel over our democracy to ensure that these fellows who we supposedly voted for do not fritter away our commonwealth. I wish us, what we wish ourselves.
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