It is now very obvious that majority of those in the National Assembly and the State Houses of Assembly did not get to the hallowed chambers through the mandate of Nigerians, but were placed there by the POWERS THAT BE to promote nepotism, self-centered interests and people unfriendly policies.
All these have manifested in the bills sponsored by a number of lawmakers.
A bill seeking a six year single tenure for some category of political office holders may not, in the true sense of the word, be in the interest of the people.
Same goes for a bill seeking to return tolls on major roads in the country, this will definitely promote private interests at the detriment of millions of Nigerians.
The Hate Speech and Social Media Regulation Bills presently before both chambers of the National Assembly, , are sign posts that the Legislature is dependent on the Executive for guidelines to carry out its statutory functions.
The comments of the incumbent Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, some time before he mounted the saddle speaks volumes : “I don’t belong to the school of thought of encouraging fighting between the two arms of government. I can tell you I was in opposition for 16 years from 1999 to 2015. I argued and opposed positions that I felt was supposed to be opposed. But I knew the limits of my opposition when the issues before us were issues that would make life better for Nigerians.
“The other side is working together and not fighting. That has to be explained. When you have to work together you would disagree and by design of the constitution, the legislature has been given some functions that would naturally make the executive sit up or feel uncomfortable.
“There would be a day when the executive would send something that could be in color white and the legislature would see it as grey because our perspective are meant to be different from time to time for the benefit of Nigerians.”
In the same vein the comments of the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila confirms the suspicions of Nigerians : ”People, naysayers, critics and people from other parties have said the 9th National Assembly is a rubber stamp to the executive.
”You know my reply when they say that to you? Tell them that you would rather have a rubber stamp National Assembly that will bring progress than the one that is fighting the executive without progress.’’
”This is because when two elephants fight, the grass suffers. This is not a rubber stamp National Assembly; this is a National Assembly that represents the people and is committed to their interests.
”The people of Surulere Federal Constituency 1 did not elect me to go and be fighting the executive; Is that what you asked me to go and do?
”Rather, you asked me to engage and collaborate with other stakeholders to deliver democratic dividends, part of which we are having today.
”This is a new dispensation where there will be checks and balances, there will be separation of powers, we will disagree with the executive when there is need to do so and agree with them if there is need. . ”But our watchword will be the interest of the people. That is the oath which I and my colleagues swore to.’’
Sadly, thousands of lives have been lost to the insecurity in the land, even though the lawmakers carry on, as if this has become a culture.
Not surprisingly, Nigerians are unanimous in their insistence that sycophants are at work in the corridors of power.
Of note, is the N37Billion in the 2020 budget, set aside for the renovation of the National Assembly, six years after the immediate past administration renovated same for over N40 Billion.
The conclusion is that the people’s interests come after more important self serving interests of the people’s representatives must have been taken care of.