ByHelen Ovbiagele, Woman Editor

So far, so good.  We’re saying the right things.  From the highest in the land to the lowest, and with one voice, we’re all clamouring for a change in all areas of governance, and thus, in our lives.

The president, the governors, the lawmakers, and even those lobbying for positions are promising to bring a change for the better to our lives.  These promises are not new, of course.  We’ve heard them over the years, and many have ended up in bubbles, but these days, with greater awareness of the man-on-the-street on what governance should be all about, and our dues from the government, expectations are high.  We’re prepared to ‘shine our eyes’ so that these people don’t pull the wool over them yet again, and try to convince us that they’re performing whereas they’re not.

This is due to the tireless efforts of  the media, our human rights activities, NGOs and other bodies who constantly educate the people on their rights.  Also, there are the Nigerians in diaspora, and our young people who have become globe-trotters and are able to compare governance in this country with that of the countries they live in, or have visited.

Most people are saying at present, ‘It won’t be business as usual’ ‘things must change for the better.’
While it is important to be optimistic and keep up our hopes that, this time around, our rulers will make a good impact on our lives and there would be relief and smiles galore all over the nation, one can’t help but hesitate to jump onto the bandwagon of the hopefuls.

There’s this feeling that basically, nothing is going to change for the better in the long run, as long as our lawmakers have this odd and non-productive mentality of  ‘take a bow and go’ while screening some prospective ministers/commissioners, advisers, etc.

Every year, for some time now,  I make it a point to watch the screening on television, especially of the Abuja bunch.

In the first place, the atmosphere lacks any seriousness.  Certainly not that of where those who will head our ministries, making decisions about our welfare and national development, will be accepted or rejected.

I’m not saying that lawmakers should wear mournful looks during these screenings, but the jovial and raucous back-slapping and general chatter do not show the mature seriousness that such an occasion requires.

A nominee is led in, and unto the podium.  Depending on what the nominee is perceived to be to the law-makers, he/she could be grilled by members, on work background, and what he/she hopes to bring to the position nominated for.  In very rare cases, a few questions on personal life.  Sometimes,  relevant questions are asked.

To be fair, many nominees do well there, as most of the questions are safe.  This is no guarantee that the person would certainly do well at the position, though, but then that’s a chance to be taken.

Then comes in a  particular nominee, and even before the person is led onto the podium, cries of ‘ take a bow and go!; take a bow and go!’ rent the air!  The first time I heard this I was shocked.  Were those lawmakers serious?   Didn’t they realise that it was a national issue which concerns all Nigerians, and they’re merely our representatives there?

This is the problem with our public officers; particularly the politicians.  Maybe I’m wrong, but it seems some of our lawmakers disconnect with the masses once they’ve won  elections, and they feel they can operate for themselves, until the next elections when they would come ask for our votes.

If we’re truly practising democracy in this country, this is a very wrong belief or attitude.  Democracy, as has been drummed into us at school in those days, is ‘government of  the people, by the people, for the people.’

Lawmakers represent the rest of us.  They are grilling the nominees for political appointments for us, so, there should be no ‘take a bow and go!’, no matter who the person is or the position he/she had held in the past.  What does that actually mean?  What’s the criteria for saying that to a nominee?

What comes to mind, to us the masses, is that either money has changed hands and the lawmakers just have to support those nominees, or it’s a matter of  ‘order from above.’

In a truly democratic setting, there should be no ”order from above” in the appointment of  people who will make decisions concerning the welfare of citizens. Only God is above.  Everything should be above board.  We should see our law-makers as transparently honest people.

How do they expect those nominees who don’t receive ‘take a bow and go’ to feel?  What will the outside world think about our democratic system?  We would be a laughing stock.

Yet, Nigeria is full of  intelligent and very well-educated people who know the right thing to do.
Maybe these people don’t have the money to go into politics or don’t get the chance to get elected.

Mrs. Hillary Clinton, the former First Lady of the United States of America, and who was a presidential aspirant for the democrats, alongside President Obama, was thoroughly grilled for many hours by the two Houses, when she was put forward to be confirmed as Foreign Secretary for the U.S.

Her husband, Bill, served two terms, and she was First Lady on each occasion, yet, there were no cries of ‘take a bow and go’ when she got to the floor.  She was screened like other nominees, and even more thoroughly so.

When lawmakers shout ‘take a bow and go’, they’re insulting, not only their own intelligence, but also the intelligence of all Nigerians.  This is because, by their attitude, they’re implying that they’re overwhelmed by the personality of  the nominee, and are too timid to grill him/her.  And, since the lawmakers were elected by our citizens, that their attitude is a slight on us. It’s like we’ve elected people who lack the confidence and knowledge to make credible and useful decisions for us.  In short, their attitude of ‘take a bow and go’ portrays us as foolish people.  Nigerians certainly are not foolish.  If anything, the average Nigerian is super smart.

These ministries/positions are public ones, to which any Nigerian can be appointed.  They don’t belong to any family, ethnic group, tribe or region, and the parliament, Senate, Houses of Assembly are not the personal property of  any family or tribal/religious group.

It’s time we stop disgracing our country with godfather/sponsor issues in public appointments.  I’m yet to see any ‘take a bow and go’ who measured up to expectation throughout his/her tenure.  In fact, a few fell into disrepute at a point, for whatever reason.

It is time we put a stop to this embarrassing attitude.  The whole world is watching us.  We’re the most populous black country in the world, an important oil-producer, a lucrative market for all products, and a force to be reckoned with in the sub-region.  We have to move along with the times, and show ourselves as a nation of responsible people.

The Speakers and the Senate leadership should see that this time around, there should be no ‘take a bow and go.’  Before each screening, both sides should prepare well.  The lawmakers should have a good and clear knowledge and understanding of the position for which the nominee is being screened, and prepare intelligent questions to be asked.  They should be attentive to responses and base their approval on sound judgment, not on instructions from above.