In any democratic government, the law-making chamber is to the democratic order what the heart is to the human body. If the chamber malfunctions, democracy is on the verge of collapsing. To ensure that our democracy does not suddenly collapse, the need to remind or sensitise the lawmakers to their statutory responsibility cannot be overemphasised.
The lawmakers are always quick to resist vehemently any public condemnation of malpractices or substandard performance. The public or the citizens whose votes legitimise their election into the legislative chamber have the right to complain and criticize them for any malpractices or malfeasance. Should Nigerians blame the teachers or health workers for insecurity in Nigeria? Of course, no, the security agencies would be blamed, being the statutory body charged with the responsibility to protect lives and properties. Underperformance on the part of the lawmakers would not only affect the lawmakers, but other arms of government, democracy, and the nation at large.
Let the distinguished and the honourable be reminded of their statutory responsibility of watchdog over other arms of government: that is the executive and the judiciary. Is it not preposterous to hear a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria argue that there is nothing wrong in them engaging in crass profligacy of purchasing N160m SUVs simply because the ministers have six cars in their fleet, three of which could be land cruisers? Another senator argued that it’s only a N160m SUV that can ply the bad roads to his senatorial district and is appropriate for an oversight function. Honestly, if these are the Lawmakers we have as distinguished and honourable to check the excesses of other arms of government, are we not in trouble? Is our democracy not on the verge of a precipice?
In conclusion, the parliamentarians should in the interest of the nation put on their garb of compassion and conscientiousness shelve the ideas of SUV of N160M and opt for locally assembled cars in the range of 20 to 30m at INNOSON MOTORS or any other indigenous vehicle assembly plant to conserve foreign exchange.
The purchase of NI60m SUVs at these times of economic doldrums by politicians portends insensitivity and indifference to the plight of Nigerians. This could equally erode the moral right of the parliamentarian in checking the profligacy or excesses of the other arms of government. Shelving the ideas of purchasing SUVs for less expensive cars that reflect the present economic reality could buoy the waning respect the public has for the parliamentarians and stem the embarrassing and increasing cases of refusal to honour the parliamentarians on invitation to appear before the National Assembly.
Remi Adeleke wrote from Suleja, Niger State
