Nigerian Legislators

[Dan-Borno]

the NTA africas largest television took it upon itself to
air LIVE proceedings at both the upper and lower houses
of our legislators, so far so good, the NTA has kept it
promise, but what about our legislators, have they kept
their promise of enacting sound and healthy laws for the
poor man that elected them into the office.

the NTA live transmission is one of my favourites though
it pissed me off on so many occasions.  in one of these
occasions, my senate president was busy reading out
marriage invitation to his fellow distinguished senators on
the floor of the house, he announced about six or five
wedding card invitation.  i kept wondering if announcing of
wedding is also part of their oversight function.  i was
later reliably informed that for every senator inviting his
colleagues, a special fund is kept to serve as honorarium
so that he can celebrate approriately as a senator of the
federal republic of nigeria.  so, if you are giving out 5 of
your children out to wed, espect big money from the upper
chambers and if it is the senator who wants to marry.......

what motivated me to start this thread was the rowdy session
the lower house found itself yesterday when they are debating
to amend section 144 to give them powers to initiate the
process of removing the president, which means they intend
to rip off the executive of their powers.  i still remember a
member who drew their attention that they cant be the judge,
jury and executioner at the same time.

bankole in his usual style asked the house weather the bill
should be passed for second reading, those who are in support
should say yeah and those against say nehh - and it become
confusion in the house.  it took them about 10 mins to settle
down before another round of question was put when bankole
in consultation militarily said the nays have it and the bill was
thrown.

the above scene is very common in our legislative houses, both
the state and federal - it is a clear testimony that our legislators
have no set agenda, so whatever comes their way they take
it serious as at that time and when it lapses, it is forgotten for
ever even if it means bad for the country in the near future.

no matter how the constitution is amended, so long we put
our interest before the nation (like gogannaka is doing) the
constitution will still be the same, the intention of the drafters
should always be put into consideration argues hon. ibn na Allah.

lack of sincerity from both the presidency, legislatures and all
other sectors led us to the present predicament, the constitution
is very clear but we decide to violate it and our dilemma will never
end.

let the legislators concentrate on critical issues and if they are
at all sincere in amending our constitution, then let there be a
referendum and not just selfish argument with baseless reasons.

happy weekend.

[gogannaka]

DB am i really putting my interest before the nation?  ??? ??? ::) ::)

The issue of amending section 144 is totaly absurd.
The federal legislators want the power to declare a president incapacitated vested in them rather than the FEC.
Kasan kuwa idan aka yi haka then the executive arm of govt is no more and that is goodbye to the separation of powers.

Isn't it unfortunate that they only use the sections they want, and after using them to suit their demands,they quickly amend them?
Sorta like use and dump.
This is the federal constitution and you cannot just be fiddling around with it like some unedited novel.

[bakangizo]

DB you dey try sef wey you dey watch dem. I just can't be @**ed. I consider it a waste of precious time. Come to think of it, I don't even watch the network news. I can't be bothered watching some clueless individuals shouting themselves hoarse over stupid motions and notions. And I find it amusing people worrying themselves about the issue of seperation of executive and legislative powers in nigeria. See, whatever the president wants is what would be done. In nigeria, the two houses are mere extensions of the presidency. Period.