The return of barbarians (4)
As can be deduced from the foregoing, the executive at the centre led by President Muhammadu Buhari does not inspire. But what about the two chambers of the National Assembly where members of the ruling party form the majority? Are they better off? Now, I have already adumbrated that the federal legislature since the time Dr. Saraki was Senate President, failed in its responsibility of dealing with the President considering various constitutional breaches he committed since May 29, 2015. But the current National Assembly will be worse, given that Saraki’s successor, Ahmed Lawan, has publicly displayed hyperbolic admiration for Buhari while his deputy, Ovie Omo-Agege, enjoys genuflecting before the President. A clear indication that the current Senate would be subservient to Buhari is the “bow-and-go” Nollywood histrionics in full display during the ministerial screening. Similarly, Femi Gbajabiamila’s controversial emergence as Speaker of the House of Representatives has already compromised its independence: if the House tries to flex its legislative muscles with the Presidency, it would be just a simple matter of Buhari’s foot soldiers threateningly reminding the Speaker that “he who lives in a glass house should not throw stones.” It is disheartening that federal legislators are still receiving outrageously huge emoluments and pecks of office when the economy is in serious trouble. As I write, the Senate leadership is preparing to buy Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for senators worth N50 million each, and the leadership of the House of Representatives will soon jump into the bandwagon of prodigal profligate spending. So, even on the not-too-difficult issue of bringing down the cost of running the National Assembly, barbarians that dominate APC have, not surprisingly, failed woefully.
