A Parliamentary Je-June

A parliamentary Je-June



The House of Representatives kicked off last week with a faltering start in parliamentary procedures by predominantly fresh members who wobbled and fumbled along in the plenary. It was amazing how even old members joined in the macabre dance. For instance, when they moved motion, they forgot to second it, and when it was seconded it was out of tune with parliamentary standard.

Worse still old timers that mounted the high rostrum of leadership suffered stage fright and could not control the fresh members who obviously needed tutelage in parliamentary procedures. An attempt by one of them to fill the obvious gap was rebuffed and he was forced to sit down and enjoy the mellow drama in the hallowed chamber. When the House resumed on Tuesday, it immediately went into an executive session that lasted for over three hours. It was expected because all the new members left Abuja disappointed on June 7th with their pocket emptied. Some were even stranded in Abuja with the retinue of supporters who had followed them to share in the joy of inauguration.

But throughout the weeklong activities of retreat, training and lobbying for leadership positions, not a single naira flowed to the pocket of the lawmakers who are obviously cash strapped having exhausted all their savings on the electioneering campaign. But the spirit of hope kept them moving and it was not until it was glaringly clear to them that nothing was likely to come out of the purse of the National Assembly management to members that the sitting was wind up and adjourned till June 28 to allow members return back to their constituencies and get some fresh air.

But some, who were members of the five ad hoc committees set up by the leadership on selection, Welfare, Rules and Business, Media and Publicity and security were left behind; even for them, the entire three weeks was cash dry. Some even travelled out of Abuja officially without sitting or travel allowance but they kept faith in the leadership they believe was their choice. All these matters were discussed in the executive session and some of the committees submitted their reports for deliberations. The leadership also used the session to calm the nerves of members who were already getting fed up with the situation. In particular, those who were unable to secure accommodation used the session to air their frustrations. Yet it was not until Wednesday that the keys to their offices were handed over to them but that was even trailed by series of complaints by those who were uncomfortable with the offices allocated to them while they were left with the option of obtaining loans from the banks to get residential accommodations in Abuja.

So when the gallery was opened and journalists were allowed to enter, the speaker struggled with the gavel to call members, who were busy chatting with colleagues, to order and take their seats for the legislative business to commence. And when the Speaker eventually succeeded, the sound system was intermittently obstructed by GSM signals as members kept their phones switched on. While some were cautious enough to put it in silence, some members forget to do so and even take calls while the session was in progress. Many others were busy fondling with their sets while the speaker was presenting the legislative agenda for the 7th Assembly, some out of fatigue slept off before the Speaker completed the 23- page agenda which attracted a rising ovation from members. There was no doubt that the stress and frustrations of the past few weeks are already taking toll on members and they all have a lot on their minds to discuss with the leadership.

While moving motions, some members often got lost and clapped hands for colleague who moved a motion it was obvious that members have probably forgotten all they were taught at the retreat on parliamentary procedures rules and etiquette. But as the former Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiala said in a chat, “it was a teething problem, we will soon get over it”. The House of Reps is undoubtedly made up of men and women, who have distinguished themselves in their various careers but the legislative business is a unique terrain which needed to be studied carefully for proper conduct of members during legislative proceedings.

The 7th Assembly will, indeed miss some characters in the 6th assembly like Patrick Obahiagbon, also known as Igodomigodo for his jaw breaking vocabularies that on many occasions put life in the legislative business. Former speaker, Dimeji Bankole knew how to use him. Whenever he noticed that members were getting too serious or fatigue had set in as a result of long hours of seating, he would invite Igodomigodo for a comic relief and the house would be livened up again. Obahiagbon, a student of the Zikist school of thought was not usually moved by members reeling in laughter over his vocabularies. What of Dino Melaye that stirred the trouble water, Independent Ogunewe, West Idahosa and other brilliant lawmakers that contributed robust debates in the chamber and acted as stabilizers on many occasions. A whole lot of them except Idahosa and few others were swept away by the political Tsunami that passed through the country from the north to the south under a free and fair election.

Despite their shortcomings, the 6th assembly after all laid the foundation for an election that is celebrated all over the world today as free and fair and an assembly that is the true reflection of the nation’s politics. The 7th assembly is standing on that foundation laid by these men who were randomly condemned for their jumbo salary, internal bickering and corrupt acts. The two principal officers, of that assembly, Bankole, the Speaker and Nafada, his deputy are already on trial for the crimes of that assembly that will never be forgotten for the good and the bad, the law of necessity, the electoral Act amendment and the first amendment of 1999 constitution. What Nigerians are waiting for now is what will be written of the 7th assembly after the next four years.