When Lawmakers Become Lawbreakers

WHEN LAWMAKERS BECOME LAWBREAKERS

     The last time I checked, several legislative councils at various quarters across the contemporary Nigerian society had in one occasion or the other violated or broken the law which they are bound to safeguard. The most popular phenomenon in this regard is impeachment saga, which has abruptly become the order of the day in the country’s political terrain.

     Currently, one would hardly wake in the morning without hearing that a certain state assembly speaker alongside other principal officers of the House is about to be impeached, or has already been impeached, probably for a frivolous or selfish purpose. Similarly, sometimes you would hear that a particular deputy governor or even a governor is passing through suchlike fate or ordeal in the hands of the lawmakers. This uncultured practice has continued unabated that most concerned activists or Nigerians in general have wondered if the so-called impeachment took place during the midnight at one of the lawmakers’ abode.

     The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, likewise the laws of the various states, categorically stipulates the procedure through which any intending impeachment could be actualized, but it’s very baffling that most of these legislators would wake one morning to inform the general public that they had ‘successfully’ impeached their speaker. Funnily enough, the clerk of the affected house would welcome or assent to such unconstitutional and nauseous conduct, thus agree to swear-in other principal officers who claimed to have taken over the leadership of the assembly.   

     The most recent of these were the ones that transpired in Kogi and Edo States, respectively. Pitiably, like what happened in Enugu State barely few years ago in the case of the former deputy governor of the state – Mr Sunday Onyebuchi, the judiciary, owing to prolonged delay in prosecution, would only reverse such act after the tenure of the affected politician or officer has elapsed. Then in such situation, the aggrieved person would only be entitled to compensation as regards the inconveniences and damages caused his/her person; even, in most cases, the compensation as pronounced by the judiciary would be far-fetched.

    This implies that there’s a compelling need to strengthen the country’s judiciary in its entirety. There ought to be duration for any given prosecution irrespective of the circumstance. The prosecution of a certain lawsuit should be meant to constitutionally last within a stipulated period of time. Such approach would tremendously help to save people from unsolicited prolonged wait during any prosecution.

    Aside impeachment, sometimes you would observe the lawmakers acting funny such as dodging a certain plenary, indulgence in a fracas, creation of inconsequential factions, and what have you, among other forms of contempt of a legislative council. Such incident was witnessed recently in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly. For crying out very loud; the legislature, which is widely regarded as the backbone of any democratic system, is supposed to fiercely protect the laws of the society in question instead of breaking them or doing otherwise.

     A legislature is the lawmaking body of a political unit that has power to amend and repeal public policies. It’s an assembly of persons that makes statutory laws for a municipality, state, or nation, as the case may be. A legislature is well respected in any country where it exists because it creates a complex interaction between its individual members, committees, political parties, rules of parliamentary procedure, and informal norms, among others

     A legislature is the embodiment of the doctrine of popular sovereignty, which recognizes that the people are the source of all political powers. In advanced democracies, citizens choose via popular votes the persons that would serve them as their legislators or representatives because they understand the sensitive nature of a legislator’s responsibilities. The representatives are expected to be sensitive to the needs of their constituents and to represent their common interest in the legislature, thus they need to take cognizance of the people’s feelings regarding any action they intend to carry out.

     In view of these facts, the legislators, either state or federal, who are expected to control, criticize, supervise and scrutinize the administration or activities of the executive as well as influence the policies of the government aren’t meant to indulge in any thought, action or inaction that would attract public criticism or condemnation regardless of the circumstance.

    The various political parties that remain the primary political homes of these lawmakers have a very vital role to play in this aspect since every legislator is affiliated to a certain party. It’s their duty to call any of their members to order when the need arises, make them acknowledge that they are not just representing their respective constituents but also the party, as well as suspend them indefinitely if need be.

     The lawmakers ought to be the number one constitution activists, thus the constitution, either national or state, should always guide every move they make, their utterances and how they relate with the public. They are invariably expected to speak unanimously because the same tool or principle is guiding them; due to their inability to establish one voice in most occasions, their positions are often abused by the members of the executive arm, thereby ridiculing their stance or immunity.

     We need to wake up from our slumbers. It’s high time we told ourselves nothing but the gospel truth. Our democracy has suffered an untold hardship because we refuse to face the reality; the reality remains that every democratic state must be guided or controlled by the language of the constitution. The rule of law must be observed as a priority, hence shouldn’t be maltreated by anyone in a position of authority.

     At this juncture, I have just a question for our teeming lawmakers: why would you attempt to break what you took your precious time to make, rather than safeguarding it? Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

              

Imo Traditional Rulers' Council and Its Proposed Election

IMO COUNCIL OF ROYAL FATHERS AND ITS PROPOSED ELECTION

     Penultimate week, I reportedly learnt that, henceforth, the leadership of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers would be produced via an election process to be conducted among the overall members of the body, contrary to the ongoing scenario whereby its leaders are being selected or appointed by the state’s governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha.

     The last time I checked, according to the report, the said resolution was occasioned by the joint meeting that recently took place at the Imo Government House between the governor and the entire members of the union in question. During the meeting, the number-one citizen equivocally disclosed to the traditional rulers that the era of appointment or imposition as regards leadership of the body had gone, stating that everyone needed to be carried along.

     It would be recalled that the moment Governor Okorocha came on board in 2011 as the Imo State governor, he unequivocally appointed Eze Samuel Ohiri, the present Chairman of the council, to pilot the affairs of the body in order to end the unrest that was occurring among its members. He further appointed other traditional rulers to fill other vacant executive positions in the union owing to the outright dissolution of the entire executive council.

     Though such action was rebelled against by the then Chairman of the union in the person of Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, who sought justice in the court on the ground that, according to the constitution of the union, an executive member shall only cease to be recognized as a member of the executive council if he dies or voluntarily resigns from the position.

     The aforementioned resolution initiated by Governor Okorocha, which was long overdue, is undoubtedly a way forward and a step in the right direction. I, as a Constitution activist, had in various occasions pleaded with the governor to find a way of settling the leadership crisis between these traditional custodians, which is liable to degenerate into an unspeakable circumstance if adequate measure isn’t taken towards addressing it.

    There’s no need repeating the past since a genuine remedy has been found, thus this piece is quite more interested in the way forward. To this end, since the governor had succeeded in getting to this point regarding conflict resolution among the royal fathers, without further ado, to prove that his intention is truly sincere, he’s required to mandate the said rulers to fix a date for the proposed election.

     Another remarkable step taken by the Imo governor was the lifting of the ban he placed on one of the traditional custodians, Eze Desmond Oguguo of Ezi-Udo Autonomous Community in Ezinihitte-Mbaise LGA. The recalled Eze was some time ago dethroned by the governor as well as banned from any activity taking place among the royal fathers due to an act of rebellion he indulged in.

     It would also be recalled that aside sacking the former Chairman of the Imo Traditional Rulers’ Council, Eze Ilomuanya, the governor went further to dethrone him as a result of the unending misunderstanding that existed between them. Having been dethroned, the man in question, out of neglect, hosted the former Nigerian President Dr Goodluck Jonathan at the official office-complex of the council situated in Owerri in the company of other royal fathers of like minds including Eze Desmond Oguguo, Eze Emmanuel Njemanze, Eze E.S. Okoro, and Eze Edward Njoku, among others, having broken into the complex with the effort of some security personnel. The rest is history.

    This was the reason the governor dethroned the recalled Royal father alongside the other alleged accomplices, in line with the Sections 11 and 14 of the 2006 Imo State Traditional Rulers’ Autonomous Communities Law. Notwithstanding, I thank God normalcy is gradually retracing its steps. As much as I wholeheartedly commend the governor for this giant stride taken by his person, I also wish he could try as much as possible to extend similar hands of fellowship to other aggrieved royal fathers. Reconciliation is a two-way thing because it takes two to tango; hence, the aggrieved persons are equally expected to reciprocate accordingly. 

     One of the good qualities of a good leader is ensuring that he makes a path for others to follow. Just like in the words of Jim Rohn, “The challenge of leadership is to be strong but not rude; be kind but not weak; be bold but not bully; be thoughtful but not lazy; be humble but not timid; be proud but not arrogant; have humour but without folly”. More so, Henry Ford also stated in his leadership quote, “Don’t find fault, find a remedy”.

     However, the royal fathers must as well do me a favour; they ought to refrain from indulging in politics. It’s not anymore news that most of these traditional custodians, rather than doing the needful, end up participating in institutional politics, which is highly prohibited in their profession. This is why their activities often conflict with that of the politicians. Pathetically, most of them aren’t residing at their respective autonomous communities.

     They are only meant to issue blessing to anyone found worthy to contest for any political post, and not to pilot his/her electioneering campaign thereafter. More pitiably, some of them are card-carrying members of one political party or the other. We keep compounding problems for ourselves.
      Notwithstanding, all I seek right now is maximum peace in Imo State and nothing more. Hence I urge all concerned to swallow their differences towards ushering in the anticipated peace; enough of these altercations. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador 

  

 

The Ekiti Seven and Fate of Nigerian Roads

PROMOTING THE PRESS’ IMPACT ON NATION-BUILDING AS THE 2016 WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY IS MARKED TODAY TUESDAY MAY 3

        

     The last time I checked, the Press could be described as the news media and agencies collectively, especially newspapers and magazines. In the same vein, freedom of the Press or the Press freedom is the freedom the press workers or personnel have to communicate and express their views through the media including print and electronic. While such freedom mostly implies the absence of interference from an overreaching state, its preservation may be sought through constitutional or other legal protections.

      With respect to government information, any government may distinguish the materials that are meant to be public from the ones to be protected based on classification of the information as sensitive, secret, and being otherwise protected from disclosure due to its relevance to protecting the national interest. Many governments are also subject to sunshine laws or freedom of information legislation that are used to define the ambit of national interest.

      The United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference as well as impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers”. This philosophy is usually accompanied by legislation ensuring various degrees of freedom such as freedom of scientific research known as ‘scientific freedom’, publishing, press and printing. The concept of freedom of speech is often covered by the same laws as freedom of the press thereby giving equal treatment to both spoken and published expressions.

       Undoubtedly, the impact of the press on nation building cannot be overemphasized. It is noteworthy that, the current socio-political, ethnic and religious intolerance in Nigeria can best be addressed by giving the press a free role not only in presentation of reportage but educating the entire citizenry on the need to embrace absolute tolerance irrespective of their respective affiliations.

      The ongoing Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria, particularly in the North-East region of the country, coupled with the current crisis occasioned by herdsmen cannot be properly approached or tackled without involving the press. In this aspect, the press would enable the citizens and other concerned or affected groups to know what is at stake as well as what is expected of them at any given time.

     Of course, it is the press that would enable the general public to acknowledge the anticipated dimension of the said anomalies. Creating awareness and awakening the consciousness of the populace in this regard or in a situation of such cannot be compromised, and suchlike measure cannot be achieved without the effort of the press.

      Considering the just concluded elections in Nigeria, we would agree to the obvious fact that the role of the press throughout the exercise was not just enormous, but unquantifiable. It was the press that enabled both the security operatives and the general public to know where and when there was any form of pandemonium or security threat as the case might be as well as the nature of the incident. Among all, the press created an avenue for transparency as long as the polls lasted which led to a credible, peaceful and successful exercise.

      Inter alia, as regards the activities of the political office holders or public officers at large, the press has helped tremendously to fight bribery and corruption that is often exhibited by the said personnel. It is the press that enables the people to be fully aware of the steps being taken by the government towards addressing any issue or anomaly alongside the respective efforts of each of the government functionaries. Similarly, the contribution of critics in national development or good governance through presentation of constructive criticism cannot be effective without the press.

      Against this backdrop, the United Nations (UN) thought it wise to proclaim May 3 of every year as the World Press Freedom Day. The World Press Freedom Day was approved by the UN General Assembly in December 1993 following the recommendation of the General Assembly of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The Day is an opportunity to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom, assess the state of press freedom throughout the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence, and among all pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

      As the world commemorates the World Press Freedom Day, there is need for all concerned authorities and groups in Nigeria to safeguard the Freedom of Information (FOI) law that is aimed at restructuring the Nigerian democratic system. On the other hand, there’s also an urgent need for the release of all the journalists and media personnel across the globe that are being detained unjustly by the police or any law enforcement agency.

      More so, the governments at all levels ought to stop further arrest and intimidation of activists whom they perceive as critics of their negative political agenda or mission. Suffice it to say; the press ought to be given a thorough free role in reporting and seeking solution to issues that may threaten the peace and unity of our great country, Nigeria.

      On their part, the members of the media must at all times concentrate on objective or unbiased reportage; hence, they are expected to think beyond their individual interest in any circumstance they find themselves. In view of this, no member of the press should in any occasion or on any ground publish any news/story without embarking on thorough and adequate investigation. In other words, investigative reporting ought to be the watchword of every pressman. Think about it!

Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

(TheMediaAmbassador)

-Public Affairs analyst & Civil Rights activist-

Chief Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research

& Career Development - Owerri

_____________________________________

frednwaozor@gmail.com

+2348028608056

Twitter: @mediambassador