On Life Pension For Presiding Officers of NASS

LIFE PENSION FOR PRESIDING OFFICERS OF NASS?

     In a recent two-day retreat in respect to the ongoing review of the Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, organized by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Review of the said constitution, the National Assembly (NASS) members raised a proposal for life pension for the principal officers of the NASS, particularly the presiding officers including the Senate President and his/her Deputy as well as the Federal House of Representatives’ Speaker and his/her Deputy.

     The Deputy President of the Senate in the person of Sen. Ike Ekweremadu who doubles as the Chairman of the aforesaid ad-hoc committee happened to be the officer who championed the proposal. In his speech, he reportedly stated that the benefits being sought had nothing to do with a certain individual; rather, it’s targeted towards protecting a national/collective interest. He went further to categorically expatiate that the issue was about the institution (NASS), thus sincerely urged his fellow members not to politicize it.

     Sen. Ekweremadu further argued that nobody elected the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), but the officer in question enjoys life pension after retirement. To this end, he vigorously enjoined the members present at the retreat not to cheapen that of the leadership of the NASS, hence reiterated that the agitation at hand wasn’t meant to be personalized or be tagged a ‘personal pursuit’.

     It’s noteworthy that another controversial proposal was equally raised by the ad-hoc committee, which had to do with immunity for the presiding officers of the NASS. The committee vocally disclosed that it was high time the leaders of the NASS enjoyed immunity from prosecution while still in office, since the leadership of both the Executive and Judiciary arms of government currently enjoys the immunity.

     Sometimes I wonder if we take a second thought of whatever we reason. No doubt, taking a second thought or more look at our reasoning would enable us to obtain its actual meaning. This is why I often go by the slogan ‘Think about it’, which has abruptly become my trademark, whenever I’m addressing anyone or group of persons. Frankly, we need to create reasonable time to think about whatever action we intend to take; else, we stand to mess it up in the long run. Let’s always bear in mind that a good thought unarguably begets a sound and wholesome action. Needless to say that we mustn’t attempt to take tangible thinking for granted if we truly intend to excel in our various endeavours.

     It’s very difficult to believe that a politician who truly means well for Nigeria would be agitating or in any way be a party to an agitation regarding life pension for any lawmaker when he/she leaves office. But, on what ground is a legislator asking for life pension? What has he/she done to deserve life pension? These, among others, are vital questions we mustn’t avoid whenever we are discussing such uncalled proposal.

     I’ve already stated earlier that even the leaders of the executive arm never deserved any life pension, thus such clause ought to be outrightly deleted from the Nigerian constitution. The obvious truth is that, no serving politician deserves a life pension when he/she leaves office. Suchlike practice doesn’t in any way augur well with any existing society, and ours wouldn’t be an exception.

     It’s more worrying that the legislators came up with the mind-boggling proposal when Nigeria is seriously bleeding financial wise, or battling with series of economic crises. Discussing or even making attempt to vote for such weird proposal at such a time the country is really seeking for rescue is a clear indication that those meant to safeguard our noble constitution are on the contrary making frantic efforts to thwart it. This very move by our highly respected lawmakers is the type that could warrant a ‘vote of no-confidence’ from their various constituents.

     Come to think of it; why would these elected officers equate themselves with the officers of the judiciary arm? Honestly, it’s so ridiculous that a lawmaker would equate his/her personality with that of a judge who may have spent over thirty-five years in service. The earlier they comprehend that the former is a politician whilst the latter remains a civil servant, the better for them. We must acknowledge when to draw a comparison, or when to contrast between two or more factors.

     The last time I checked, without mincing words, Nigerians deserved an unalloyed apology from these lawmakers for having thought of such proposal let alone making it public. If they fail to do so, I’m afraid, someone from nowhere might someday wake-up from his/her slumber and tell Nigerians that he/she equally deserves a life pension. We need to let our teeming legislators at all levels understand that they are strictly answerable to their constituents.

     On its part, that of immunity from prosecution while in office is another insensitive and untenable agitation. Our lawmakers ought to note that by coming up with such proposal, they are as well informing the electorate that they all have skeleton in their respective cupboards. One may ask; was it not same lawmakers that were some time ago agitating for removal of the immunity clause enjoy by the executive leaders, from the 1999 constitution, as amended? So, why would they turnaround and start proposing to be among the beneficiaries of a clause that’s currently under debate?

     Rather than concentrating on the needful, or putting more effort toward scrapping the already existing controversial immunity clause, the legislators whom I respect so much thought it wise to do otherwise as if Nigerians are dummies. It’s conspicuously preposterous to remind our honourable lawmakers that an average Nigerian, unlike before, is now politically aware, thus can no longer be deceived or taken unawares as they suffered in the past. Hence, they should regularly be mindful of their thoughts, utterances, inactions, or actions, as the case may be.

     The gospel truth remains that it’s high time the Nigerian politicians stopped taking the electorate for a ride, or overriding them. Respect is indeed reciprocal, thus must be upheld at all times and all cost too. Anyone occupying any position of authority must always acknowledge that his/her assumption to such duty post was occasioned by the people’s votes; in other words, he/she is expected to do everything humanly possible towards ensuring that the people in question are carried along in his/her day-to-day activity regardless of the circumstance.

     The last time I checked, there were series of crucial laws in the constitution under review seeking for urgent attention, thus the NASS members needn’t be told that the proposed amendments regarding immunity and life pension are extremely frivolous and trivial compared to others. The best thing that could happen to the clauses in the said constitution in regard to the issues under debate is to totally scrap the already existing ones, instead of adding more subsections. Against this backdrop, we plead with our knowledgeable lawmakers to pay attention to issues that would save this country from further collapse; therefore they must invariably endeavour to desist from any questionable attitude.  

     For crying out loud, Nigeria is too old and wise for her subjects to continue embarking on retrogressive matters when they are required to forge ahead. Obi may be addressed as a boy today, but it’s pertinent to acknowledge that someday he must attain to manhood. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

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