Ninth Assembly Leadership Tussle
As the drama for who leads the 9th Assembly in Nigeria continues to unfold, many have continued to questioned the place of Section 50 (1) (a) and section 92(1) of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended and the place of separation of Power in Nigeria.
For the records, according to Section 50 (1) (a) of the 1999 constitution as amended:
“A President and Deputy President of the Senate shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.” Section 92(1) makes the same provision for Speaker and deputy speaker.
The above sections our constitution doesn’t bar lawmakers from the minority political party in parliament from seeking the position of senate president.
However, I was disappointed with many of the newly elected members of NASS and the chairman of All Progressive Congress Adams Oshiomhole on Monday 25th March 2019 when they continuously posited on National Television about the leadership of NASS belonging to them as majority members.
One can not help but wonder if they are ignorant of the section 50 (1)(a) and 92(a) of our constitution. It is more disturbing when such posits also came from a lawmaker elect as many has toed the line of the party chairman this raises the question of what use is one who is ignorant of the law to be a lawmaker?
The Death of Section 50 (1) – Nigerian Constitution
Section 50 (1)(a) was very clear as it never mentioned that the NASS leadership should be exclusively reserved for majority party. By among themselves as we also saw in the constitution, it also faults the statement of APC chairman who is not a member of the house talking in strong terms about who leads the 9th assembly.
The concentration should rather be focused on convincing senators-elect and ensure that the next Senate President takes place in a conducive atmosphere with view of strengthening the institution without any hindrance as every lawmaker has the right to contest.
I wish to also register my disappointment with the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Mr Lanre Isa-Onilu who chose the line of ignorance by positing that in a presidential system of Government, there is no need for election for principal officers to be held on the floor of the National Assembly and that the leadership is meant for the party with majority. It is either he is ignorant of sections 50(1)(a) and 92(1) or he has choosing to deceive himself.
More so, the alleged interest of the executive and the purported endorsement of Ahmed Lawal and Gbajabiamila for Senate President and Speakership respectively poses a threat on the principle of separation of power. Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Nigerian constitution is clear on the independence of the various arms of government in Nigeria.
Happenings in this part of the world clearly shows that if the executive handpicks who lead the legislature, the legislature will only be mere stooge/puppets to the executive this will be harmful to the all important check and balance function of the three arms of government as the executive will dictate what happens, when and how it happens.
The earlier we put Nigerians interest first and put party madness aside in the Nigeria, the better for the country.
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