NASS: LEGISLATURE HOUSE OR COMEDY CLUB

NASS: LEGISLATURE HOUSE OR COMEDY CLUB?

By: Ayoola Imran | Oyo State

Nigerians voted out People Democratic Party (PDP), in 2015 elections and replaced it with All Progressives' Congress (APC), as the only Messiah that can wipe out the mess that have stained and rotted our system of government. Alas, failure of the ruling party to implement it Phantasmagoric promises has made its subjects to be frustrated, depressed and disappointed.

Ours is a country where funny drama and tales are used to divert and distract the populace attention from the crucial national issues.
Our National Assembly (NASS), has become a comedy club where tragi-comedians feed us with unnecessary and irrelevant drama thereby neglecting the sole duty we send them for. Hardly a week will pass without an episode of comedy not released in the NASS.

Among the drama of this week includes: (i) Senator Dino Melaye saga on his ABU certificate. The controversial senator was alleged of not graduating from ABU Zaria as he claimed. He also claimed that he had a certificate degree from Harvard University, but the institution out rightly debunked the claim and stated categorically that the lawmaker only attended a workshop in the school. The senator brought his NYSC Photo to the house and displayed it for his colleagues to clear the certificate saga.

But, how could a person serve before graduating? How could a person graduate from a prestigious university without having a valid and original certificate? The Vice Chancellor of ABU ZARIA, Prof. Ibrahim Garba was summoned by the Senate on this issue. Melaye appeared in the house in company of the VC in a graduation gown. Maybe, Dino didn't return his convocation gown that was why his certificate was not given to him. What a bizarre! The VC appeared before the senate and clear the dust painted on Dino; that he graduated from his institution in the year 2000 with Third Class degree in B.A. Geography. Despite the investigation of Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges, Melaye's saga was swept under the carpet.

(ii) Also, the Nigeria custom services (NCS), seized the N298 million bullet proof Range Rover that belongs to Olubukola Sarki. The Senate president submitted himself humbly before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and explained that he has nothing to do with the importation of the vehicle, as he was neither an importer nor a clearing agent. Being the Oga at the top, he was not interrogated thoroughly. Even though, the senate president was known of having skeleton in his cupboard! 

(iii) Senator Ali Ndume, the vocal and fearless Borno lawmaker, who raised the point of order by citing orders 14 and 15 of the Senate Standing Rules referring to the allegation labeled against Saraki and Melaye. He made a call that the two lawmakers should be properly probed. Mr. Anyawu, with his committee, reported after the investigative hearing on Mr. Ndume, that Ali Ndume failed to conduct proper investigation before making "the allegations." Therefore, the Senate suspends him for barely six months. What an injustice! Ndume only raised the issues, having read them on the newspaper purposefully to preserve the integrity of the Senate Chamber.

Last year, Rep. AbdulMumin Jibrin Tofa was suspended on the padding allegation he raised against the Bauchi Oracle and his cronies. Unfortunately, it was Ndume turn this time around. However, the legal luminary, Mr. Femi Falana said that suspension of Senator Ali Ndume was illegal. The way our senators are piloting the affairs of this country is totally wrong and worrisome. In advanced countries, their lawmakers are intellectuals and active in serving their citizens while ours have turned themselves into a laughing stock.

They stand firmly and active during their allowances, SUV cars and other selfish interests but remain redundant to fight for their constituents' rights. Indirectly, those people are hindering the good intention of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The senators and some cabals around PMB are his major headache.  Sir, rise up and use the power vested on you judiciously. Consult the Oracle in Ota, he knows much and his ready to guide you. Therefore, it's high time for each constituency to call their senators and Reps into order.

The 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) granted the populace absolute right to call for the suspension of any inactive lawmakers.

I implore the Nigerian lawmakers to rise up and do what is needed and required from them. They should be committed to their duty, uphold unity and justice and shun those unnecessary daily comedies, collaborate and work with PMB for the progress of our dear country.

Ayoola Imran, writes from Ogbmosho South, Oyo state.                     

He writes via: ihassan896@gmail.com