NAN-H-90
Legislation
By Angela Atabo
Abuja, June 22, 2017 (NAN) A school proprietor, Prof. Solomon Omayiwa, has called on the 8th National Assembly to apply more democratic principles than political affiliation and ethnic sentiment in legislating.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja that members of the assembly had allowed political sentiments to becloud their judgments on issues of legislation.
According to Omayiwa, owner of Doxa Institute, a theology college based in Kaduna, most of the lawmakers are more inclined towards supporting their own parties against the general interest.
He said that it was the duty of the legislature to checkmate the conduct of government officials, but that rifts and sentiments on political and ethnic leanings had characterised activities of the 8th assembly.
“This is not supposed to be because they are not to be more party inclined than democratic.
“I expect that the assembly should be apolitical in mind and know that it is neither a PDP nor an APC house but that of the people they represent.
“So, it is amazing most times and absurd when you see people with their names and parties not supporting the ideals of other parties. This shows to us that everything that is going on in the assembly is party inclined,” he said.
Omayiwa said that the situation in the national legislature indicated that the interest of the dominant or ruling party, rather than national interest, would always be considered.
He, however, commended the assembly for its achievement in two years, especially in terms if bills passed.
He urged the members to improve in their attendance at proceedings, especially in the House of Representatives “where there are usually low attendance.
According to Omayiwa, Nigerians do not need absentee representatives but need those who will be there for them.
“By performance we are impressed with what they have done so far, but there are some things we have seen as bottleneck that need to be addressed.
“The lawmakers need to grow beyond sentiment and laxity.”
He appealed to them to be abreast with global best practices and always update their knowledge so as to handle issues effectively.
“Sometimes when bills are brought to the house a lot of members, due to lack of understanding, disagree with them or not participate at all because of sentiments and other unnecessary consideration outside national interest.’’
Omayiwa said that as representative of the people, the lawmakers should always stand and speak for the people, and should not be far from their constituents.
He also advised them to be law-abiding, saying that only the masses obeyed laws in the country.
“We are looking up to a new national assembly that will be people and service-oriented, giving feed back to the electorate.
“We are looking forward to a new assembly that will enhance good relationship between it and the executive, including state governors, so that we can work for the betterment of Nigeria.
“We are also looking up to a new assembly that will be free of corruption and pass budget on time, not mid-year,” he said. (NAN)
ATAB/OPI/OPI
Edited by Olisa Ifeajika