AN OPEN LETTER TO YOU AS REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS ELECTED TO THE 10TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.

 

Dear Honourables and Distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Congratulations on your elections to execute the mandates of the people in a tripartite system of Government; called democracy. 

Many years of military hostage of our nation might have left us confused of the true nature of Democracy. The vacuum of failure and acceptability of dictatorship of military government is the absence of the legislative arm. 

In the last few weeks, events relating to the leadership of the National Assembly have exposed our  confusion and ignorance of what democratic ethos is. This communication has become necessary before we settle for aberrations as democratic norms. 

This letter, like several others is inspired by the thoughts of everyday Nigerians. In his comment on my FB page, Clement Ehis Iuleomien expressed his worries for our democracy. In confusion of absolutism of power some people have pointed to the emergence of Saraki President of the 8th Senate as the reason for Buhari's abysmal and monumental failure, because he did not endorse Saraki as Senate President. What a sham!

There are so many imported aberrations from our colonial and immediate military dictatorship culture into our political and democratic system in Nigeria that must have the attention of 10th Assembly, if we hope to see Democracy survive till 2027 and beyond! 

Luleomien further posited; "it sounds comical for the Executive President to begin to involve himself in the manoeuvrings as regards who emerge as leaders at the parliament, in complete contrast to how the Nigerian constitution prescribes the leadership should emerge. This is the very core of our problems in this nation. These illegal and clandestine moves are the factors that reinforce corruption, incompetence, profigacy, poverty and unmitigated indebtedness in our systems".

Given the clarity of our constitution and rules of the house and the Senate coupled with the light of Nigeria's current political dispensation and complexities, should you, as representatives of the people believe in zoning of the Senate Presidency?

Dear, Honourable Members and Distinguished Senators, 

Events in the political space have overtaken zoning. The conduct of political party primaries speaks to this fact. In the race for Presidential party tickets, were Aspirants from North and South, those who emerged as candidates did because the delegates so decided. Why then should the process at the National Assembly be tailored different.

Zoning is a mere political formula to be adopted for the convenience of advantage, used when it is favourable to our political elites and discarded when it is not.

Your leadership should be determined by you, the elected members of 10th Assembly, in consultation with the stakeholders, major in this circumstance are the people whose mandate you hold to SPEAK FOR at the 10th Assembly. 

The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended confirmed the assertion of who the major stake holders are. It vested the authority of representation of the people at the Senate on their elected Senators. This is the very expressive message that is on the lips of every Nigerian, this is our expectation and should guide your activities daily, in and out of the Chambers. As Legislators you are there for your people and the party is only a privileged platform through which you contested the elections and won to REPRESENT YOUR PEOPLE,  NOT YOUR PARTY. 

Party interests should be subsumed into the wishes of the people for it is superior! The lies that confirmed "legitimacy" on the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria attests to this; WE THE PEOPLE... without which our nation stands no chance of existence in the global family. 

Please, you hold the ground of strength on which our constitution is founded; WE THE PEOPLE and the ace of the game on behalf of the people and not your party leadership at making the truth out of it, for you are indeed the body of the people in democratic system of Government and should decide who leads you to the advantage of your people.

The is clearly spelt out in our article of union; ours is a constitutional democracy, superior only to the rule of the House and of the Senate in this matter is the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. No one, is as important as each elected Member of the Senate and Members of the House of Representatives asides the people who sent them to the 10th Assembly. 

There is no room carved by the constitution for the recklessness of power and arrogance of political communication coming from the Executive. You as the elected representatives of your people and constituents are the Stakeholders. But the game is yours to play on behalf of your people and constituency, and you must rise up to it, with only one question in mind; of what benefit is my choice of leadership in this class to my people who sent me here? If there are Stakeholders to be consulted, it is the people who sent you to the 10th Assembly. Without prejudice, as Democrats we owe it to democracy, never to allow the Executive to hand pick leaders for the legislative arm, which can only be for simple reason of manipulating them. You are not unaware of the confrontation this has posed to development of your constituences as a result of overbearing control of Governors on House of Assembly Members. A town hall meeting with your constituencies on this will strengthen democracy. I expect you to give it a trial. However, be informed of Apostolic Round Table's desire as a conversational platform for leaders from all walks of life primarily within our faith to host you to a National dialogue, though, our platform is very well open to all lovers of peace irrespective of their religion or tribe.

We are compelled to do this for our love for Nigeria and her interest in our hearts. Our zeal, we hope will find knowledge with Members of NASS to grow a nation of our collective aspirations. We assured Nigerians that NASS will not be left alone to take this decision that will impact greatly; negatively or positively on all components that make up Nigeria without due consultation. 

Tinubu's endorsement of Godswill Akpabio and Jibrin Barau as Senate president and vice president respectively is nothing but an affront to Democracy and its culture.

His antecedents in Lagos as a former Governor and post tenure control of the state from 1999 till this very moment, for which dictatorial tendencies are glaring should throw up caution to the 10th Assembly on how best to engage with him and manage his presidency. 

Gaining control of the legislative arm of Government is the desire of every Executive, it is the nature of man. But the wisdom of democracy is in the Separation of Powers. We are yet to maximize democratic dividends because of the abuse of Executive control over the legislative arm, from the states to the Federal, the story is the same. It's against the ethic of Democracy to grant Tinubu such a wish, not even APC Senators should give consideration to it. 

The micro zoning to Akpabio doesn't appear like the decision of APC leadership, but of the President elect the NASS exists to keep in check. For me, it will be the first red flag of failure if Akpabio made it. Selling Akpabio on religious ground and his being the choice of BAT is a serious minus. The two are a threat to the fragility of our democracy in context of this season. 

Recently, elected Assembly members regretted zoning decision, and conceded that they goofed. To err is human, to forgive divine, you should forgive yourselves and revert to democratic norms and ethos. 

Zoning of leadership of Nation Assembly is nothing but a fraud. Who is zoning what and for who? Any rule of leadership engagement in a democratic Assembly that over-rules the contribution of the minority through the process is what it is, a political fraud!

The North West powered Tinubu to victory with 2.6 million votes out of the 8 million votes. They are seeking compensation with the Senate Presidency for Jibrin Barau to be the vice president, despite that the vice president is from the North East. Should we be comfortable with their demand? 

We don't have to be, but nobody should deny them the right to such a wish. Politics is about interest canvassing, position promoting through dialogues and debates. They are in the National Assembly for their constituency, not region, in view of one Nigeria; whatever doesn't promote National alignment must be shunned.

APC is indebted to the North West. But the question is; are the 108 senators indebted to North West? I don't think so! The purpose of the legislative arm has excused them from the burden that is meant for the elected President. It's the business of the Executive to find ways to compensate them by offices and agencies under their hands and not the highest office of a body that should be completely separated from from the Executive in operation. Though, I  personally don't wish for a Muslim Senate President, for no reason more than the lack of respect for our faith and consideration for our numbers that powered APC's Muslim/Muslim ticket. Abdulazziz Yari is for me a force lurking in the corner. Being an independent candidate is a tremendous advantage if he knows how to use it and if care is not taken, we may see a replay of what happened in the 8th Assembly. But then the question should be asked, who is Yari? What has been his contribution to the dynamics of stability in his home state Zamfara? The greatest need of our nation is stability, can Yari bring that to the table as Senate President?

No one shouted the warning to Nigerians never to allow the Muslim/Muslim ticket to fly, for anticipation of complications such as we are confronted with; attempt to rob Peter to pay Paul. I really wouldn't want to expantiate on the evil of Muslim/Muslim ticket for the sake of peaceful coexistence. I may be scuttling Yari's and other persons who are Muslims in the process and increasing visibility for Akpabio on religious ground. A Christian should be the natural choice, but a Northern Christian is the solution to the guilt of conscience troubling Tinubu and Shettima. Tinubu and not Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN or any of CAN affiliate Blocs chose Akpabio as the "Christian candidate". The question is; is Akpabio a Christian? If he is, which is his church and who is his 'hello Daddy'? I Am not here to give anybody out. But it is important that the public properly understands the foregoing and the National Assembly is informed of public expectations. Who cares about the religion of a leadership over 107 classmates who all have equal rights in the Assembly and say, in it affairs. The most powerful office under heaven is the office of the President of Nigeria. An individual should not rough his way to the office of the president and be allowed the privilege of holding Senate presidency in proxy. That will be fatal for our experimental democracy and may end it abruptly. 

The decision should tilt towards religion but must be based on competence. Who is the individual that can provide inspirational leadership for his classmates at the Senate for the duties ahead of them. The need to consider a Christian is welcome, but that Christian should come from the North. Christian persecution in Nigeria is a media report to Southern Christians. Those whose reality it is on a daily basis should provide the lead at engaging the Executive to find a sustainable solution and not the 'Judases' from regions who see nothing but monetary gain and their political advancement at the expense of our faith.

All the returning Christian Senators irrespective of their political party stand a chance, depending on how they go about it.

Are we being chauvinistic? Why are we not considering the gender balance in leadership of the country through the National Assembly? Is that not a possibility? This for me should be a serious point to also consider. 

Nigerians I believe are ok with the emergence of anyone the Senate or House of Representatives gives the mantle of leadership. It is exclusively their right and responsibility. It's political timidity to think in terms of general election votes in consideration of Senate and House of Representatives, where over 200 million people are represented by 108 Senators and 360 Reps at the National Assembly to service regional interest in the face of religious abuse. There is just 108 votes to decide who will be the Senate President. No more, no less!

Such leadership should be mindful of the reckless romance of the Buhari led administration and Lawan led 9th Senate that has left the nation with burden of debt that his generation may not repay. It should lead 10th Assembly at thinking and deciding for tomorrow in all their engagements. It should lead them to weaken religion and strengthen spirituality so we can institutionalize secularism to lead our country away from bitterness, from extremism of tribe and religion fanning our insecurity. 

Finally, democracy is a game of numbers, what ever you have to do to be in the numbers and have the numbers to make legislative decisions to the benefit of the people and the nation must be done. The Chambers; Red or Green is a box to think of the people, where you are not allowed to think outside of. Minority like they say must have their say and majority their ways. Determining majority in the Chambers is not a party affair but of political ingenuity championing the People's Affairs. May the 10th Assembly find the dynamics to be truly People's Assembly. May we from both Chambers hear the echoes — WE THE PEOPLE — of the People's voices through the elected Reps and Senators over the nation.

May the 10th Assembly succeed!

Dr Bolaji O. Akinyemi 

Convener Apostolic Round Table.

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