Analysis I NASS' Recess: The Intrigues And Intricacies

NASS’ RECESS: THE INTRIGUES AND INTRICACIES

        

On 24^th July this year, the National Assembly (NASS) – encompassing the Green and Red Chambers – embarked on its two-month annual recess in accordance with the mandate of the constitution. Consequently, the federal lawmakers are expected to resume their legislative functions on 25^th September 2018.

         

Penultimate week, contrary to the ongoing request to call off the recess, some members of the NASS pleaded with the leadership of the joint chamber to elongate the duration of the vacation till the second week of October or thereabouts so they can participate fully and actively in the awaited primary elections of their respective political parties.

          

The demand of these legislators has generated mixed feelings cum reactions among several citizens in various quarters. In some parts, some Nigerians are opining that the lawmakers are up to something fishy.

         

Similarly, some others are of the view that the representatives, particularly those of the extraction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), are still jittery over the alleged quest of the ruling party – the All Progressives Congress (APC) – to impeach the Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki owing to his recent defection from the latter to the former.

         

I initially intended to scold those who were trying to misinterpret the essence of the plea, not until I recalled that the current outlook of the country’s political trending has made many to become sceptical over genuine motive of most Nigerians in various positions of authority.

         

It’s not anymore news that the citizenry have begun to see every avowal made, or action taken, by an average Nigerian politician as selfish. This manner of reaction isn’t unconnected with the fact that many of our leaders at all levels have refused to convince us that they truly mean well for the general interest of the people. This is the reason every statement or request coming from any political office holder would definitely be misinterpreted in some quarters.

         

If not, I personally see nothing wrong with the call for elongation of the ongoing recess. It’s obvious that except for the office of the President, every other primary election invariably takes place at the various states across the federation.

         

For instance, the primary poll regarding the position of a certain slut in a state’s House of Assembly would be conducted at the headquarters of the affected state constituency or Local Government Area (LGA).

         

Same measure is applicable to a slut concerning the Federal House of Representatives or the Senate, as the case might be, whose primaries are bound to take place at the headquarters of the concerned federal constituency or senatorial district, respectively. And for the office of the Governor, the primary is meant to be held at the state secretariat of the party in question, which is usually situated at the state’s capital territory.

          

Against this backdrop, since virtually all of these serving federal lawmakers are seeking for one position or the other, it wouldn’t be bad for them to be presently resident in their respective states of origin towards enabling them concentrate adequately on the incoming primaries. They are equally in need of reasonable time to ensure victory during the impending internal rivalry.

          

Even those among them who aren’t aspiring for any post of authority are expected to be well informed in order not to be taken unawares by the party leadership of their various localities, especially now some state chapters of most parties are clamouring for indirect primaries.

         

The worst thing that would happen to a leader in any organization is to be taken unawares or for granted. Hence, it’s noteworthy that any iota of vacuum created by any of these legislators in their respective party structures could warrant the party leadership to overlook their membership or impact on the group.

          

So, at such a critical and highly sensitive time like this, being physically present is the only way a practising politician could remain relevant and participate actively in any activity to be carried out by his or her party. Politics is a game of interest and yours can only be wholly defended when you are fully involved in the game.

         

However, my fear is that there are two crucial issues of national interest eagerly awaiting the return of these revered lawmakers to the hallowed chambers, namely: the supplementary budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2019 general elections seeking approval and the just vetoed Electoral Act Bill, as amended. These two documents are unarguably earnestly pleading for speedy legislative attention.

          

If a comparison is supposed to be drawn in such situation, even an imbecile would concur with the assertion that a national interest is meant to override a personal one. It’s on this premise I wish to state that, if the legislators really mean well for the Nigerian state at large, they aren’t required to be told that there’s no excuse that ought to warrant elongation of the holidays.

          

Since every sane and rational Nigerian is looking forward to seeing that free, fair and credible polls are holistically conducted come 2019, it’s needless to reiterate that the recess itself is a threat to our common goal, hence deserves to be truncated in earnest. Think about it!   

Comrade Nwaozor, a policy analyst, is 

National Coordinator, Right Thinkers Movement

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frednwaozor@gmail.com

Twitter: @mediambassador