NIGERIAN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, CASTRATED? - an article by Paul Barthlomew.

Power they say corrupts, while absolute power corrupts absolutely. This is a popular refrain among political science students. This is the main reason why in a democratic setting, there are three arms of government that operate as co-equals and serve as a check and balance on one another. The result is an effective checks and balances on the activities and operations of each government tier.

That Nigeria has spent ten uninterrupted years of civilian rule is not in question. The argument has been whether these years of civilian rule can be equated to ten years of democratic governance? Many commentaries had been made on this subject; while some argue that we have had democracy these ten years, others believe we had only had the change of uniform as the same clique of undemocratic elements had been in control of the national affairs these past ten years. That was why in 2007, when a so-called unblemished, true civilian and a university graduate - "Umaru Musa Yar'Adua" was 'selected' by the PDP and later imposed on the 'nation' as a civilian president, not few were optimistic that things will no longer be the same, hoping that we are in for better times? But with several events since his inauguration as president, President Umaru Yar'Adua had proved the optimists wrong while the sceptics had been proved right. Not a few had been taken aback with the level of corruption in all segments of national life, exhibition of ineptitude, lack of direction, unwillingness to change the status-quo especially with recent events in Ekiti and President Umaru Yar'Adua's strong commitment to the Northernization and Islamization of Nigeria?

However, my anger goes to the National Assembly, the so-called representatives of the people - both the senate and house of representatives? These people are supposed to gauge the feelings of the 'electorate' (though none of them were elected but selected, in the first place) and make laws to assuage these feelings and fears. These so-called 'distinguished' senators and 'honourable' representatives are expected to serve as a check on the excesses of the executives and defend the constitution of the 'Federal Republic'? They are to remind the executive of any actions that serve as a breach to the constitution and ensure that the interest of the generality of the masses is defended, at least let there be a semblance? They are supposed to scrutinize the actions of the executive and various parastatals to ensure that they are in consonance to the dictates of the constitution. However, what we observe now is a legislature that had become an extended arm of the presidency, not even the executive. Actions of the executive are now approved without recourse to constitutional requirements. They are only interested in their allowance and had abandoned the responsibility bestowed on them to 'at least' show that they have separate but equal powers, running Nigeria. I am persuaded to concur with those who term them 'rubber stamp' legislature.

The recent appointment by the presidency and the so-called screening and approval by the Senate of Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria is appalling and negates every sense of decorum and legislative responsibility? Mr. Sanusi just assumed his last office as the Group Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria in January 2009. From all indications, Mr. Sanusi is not qualified to head the nations apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria. His educational background completely disqualifies him. This is a man that would formulate policies that is supposed to drive this national economy in this period of global economic recession and lead us to the so-called Vision 2020? From all indications, he is not properly equipped for the task of the present global economic meltdown and his masters degree in Islamic Studies, a course that has nothing to do with Economics, or Banking or even Political-economics does not help matters, at all? Sanusi also lacks the international clout or exposure to lead the nations banking sector to the desired Eldorado?

If the North desires to appropriate the CBN governorship position now, my question is ' Is Sanusi the most qualified candidate the whole of the North can produce?' If that is true, then they have a fundamental problem because they are and will remain for many decades, very far behind in Nigeria. During the so-called Senate screening of Sanusi, this his incompetence was not commented on by any of the so-called Senators? What a shame? Mr. Sanusi comes from a region, North Western Nigeria that already has appropriated the positions of the President, Economic Adviser to the President, Minister of Finance, Minister of National Planning, Minister of Energy, GMD NNPC etc. This completely negates the principles of the constitution of the 'Federal Republic' of Nigeria as it appertains to federal character principle in allocation of offices in the land? During the jamboree called screening, the so-called senators were busy listening to a fable prepared to deceive the gullible men that the question of federal character was no longer an issue in federal appointments? The worst case displayed by this inept senators is that they acquiesced that even the affirmation of his clearance should be done by voice votes? Which triggers the question, which clime are we operating here in Nigeria?

I recently read a babbling by one Northerner that the reason for not giving Prof. Chukwuma Soludo a second term was to pave way for a Northern who has a primary responsibility to reshape the policy of the operations of the Bureau De Change. They complain that the policy of Soludo affected the Northerners negatively without considering the effect on the national economy. It goes to show how myopic, sentimental and tribalistic that President Umaru Yar'adua is and by such, a person with his traits has completely demonstrated his incompetence to be president of any country in this world. No wonder some of his former associates had complained that President Umaru Yar'Adua has no national agenda, had no friends outside his locality and thus his mentality is completely local. I am afraid for Nigeria especially with recent calls for a so-called second term. What we have got from the so-called National Assembly had been probes that got nowhere. Noises were made, emotions evoked and all of such nonsense. The conclusion is the enmeshing in corrupt practices by those who are supposed to perform oversight functions. Nicholas Ugbane, Ndudi Elumelu et al will tell better. Many others abound in both chambers with their atrocities covered by the EFCC and their presidency collaborators. We wish Elumelu will open up and squeal the beans in his case as it concerns the so-called young Turk, Mr. Speaker. We all know about it and are waiting for the details.

The National Assembly, during Obasanjo's regime made some noise about impeachment. However, in the name of executive-legislative collaboration and political stability, the interest of the masses is constantly subsumed to the wishes of a cabal that has been holding Nigeria hostage since independence. In the so-called hallowed chambers, rot, disappointments, shame, election riggers and thugs, criminals, 419ers, fake contractors, ritualists, womanisers, sponsors of kidnappings and all sorts of evil abound. It shows that this nation is doomed. Our democracy is doomed. The future of our youths is doomed. They are not National Assembly but National Ashamed? They are not honorable people but dishonorable people or what is honorable in a bunch of thugs, fraudulent criminals, 419ners, SIEMENS bribe-takers, NITEL looters etc? What a disgrace these bunch of hooligans have brought to the office as well as Nigeria?