Nigeria’s government appears reduced to the executive and judiciary due to President Bola Tinubu’s controversial emergency declaration in Rivers State. Allegations of bribery among lawmakers to support this move raise serious concerns about the National Assembly’s integrity. Historical patterns of misconduct highlight a troubling alignment between the legislature and ruling party, undermining democratic institutions and accountability.
Nigeria’s governance has seemingly diminished to one and a quarter arms of government, following recent concerns regarding President Bola Tinubu’s actions. My objections to Tinubu aren’t solely political but stem from the ambiguity surrounding his identity and integrity. While his emergency declaration regarding Rivers State merits consideration, it raises constitutional questions about the legitimacy of his actions given the state’s conditions do not meet legal definitions for such a declaration.
Despite potentially holding more information than the public, President Tinubu’s decision drew support from both houses of the National Assembly without fulfilling key legislative processes. Reports from Peoples Gazette and SaharaReporters suggest lawmakers were allegedly incentivized with bribes amounting to $25,000 each to endorse the presidential action, including significant changes to local governance.
No formal responses from either legislative body have emerged to refute these claims, underscoring existing issues with the National Assembly’s credibility, which I have previously described as decaying and ineffective. My observations about the deterioration of Nigeria’s legislative processes date back years, highlighting a pattern of irresponsibility and ethical decline within its ranks.
Various scandals over the years, such as the lavish spending on luxury vehicles by senators, illustrate the disconnect between lawmakers and the populace. For instance, in 2019, BudgIT highlighted how the National Assembly’s budget ballooned astronomically over 17 years, showcasing a blatant disregard for fiscal responsibility and governance accountability.
The constitution intended for the legislative branch to act as a check on the executive to prevent ill-considered decisions by any president. However, historical trends suggest that the legislature aligns with the ruling party, compromising its integrity and independence. The present scenario of the National Assembly demonstrates the adverse effects of such dynamics, as evidenced by their neglect of constitutional standards in President Tinubu’s recent actions.
In summary, Nigeria’s governance framework has faced significant ethical and functional challenges, as evidenced by the actions of President Tinubu and the National Assembly. The apparent collaboration between these entities, alongside allegations of corruption and abdication of legislative responsibilities, raises critical concerns about the integrity of Nigerian democracy. With the erosion of legislative transparency and accountability, the country is left with an ineffective government structure comprising only the executive and the judiciary.
Original Source: punchng.com
