SALVAGING OUR NASCENT DEMOCRACY

SALVAGING OUR NASCENT DEMOCRACY

National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

In the world today, the democratic system of governance is accepted by all and sundry, of which governments of nations have entrenched it in their political systems. Some weeks back, the military took over power in Burkinafaso, which was globally condemned, with a view to returning the democratic system of governance to civilian rule.

Our democracy which came to stay in 1999 is being threatened by unscrupulous and disgruntled elements in the polity. The show of shame within the precincts of the National Assembly complex on Thursday, November 20, 2014, by the men of the Nigeria Police Force and the legislators, is an indication of the fact that we lack respect for the rule of law.

Firstly, the Police stormed the complex of the National Assembly following reports that some thugs were coming to disrupt the session that morning. If that was true, why was the Speaker of the House of Representatives denied access into the complex even when he identified himself as the Honourable Speaker?

Why didn’t the police officers order the other legislators to identify themselves one after the other and not shut the entrance into the complex? Was it a set-up from the Presidency?

Similarly, why were the so-called Honourables not honourable enough to remain calm but resorted to scaling the gate leading to the National Assembly complex? Probably they thought an impeachment process would be carried out against Tambuwal. This is a national disgrace!

The lawmakers who signed for the impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan are simply being blinded by sentiments. On what ground is the President going to be impeached? Was he the one who ordered the police to storm the National Assembly complex?

Why do people think that the Presidency initiated the action of the Police Force following Tambuwal’s defection from the PDP to the APC? This notion lacks moral justification.

According to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) the President can only be impeached on the ground of gross misconduct, that is, a violation of the provisions of the constitution. Where has he violated the constitution? Why then is the call for impeachment? This is indeed an abuse of office.

Regarding the Ekiti State House of Assembly, of which 7 PDP members out of the 26 members of the State House of Assembly initiated the impeachment of the Honourable Speaker, Dr Adewale Omirin, depicts the myopic thinking faculty of our lawmakers. Those lawmakers should be prosecuted as their action is unconstitutional.

We must all condemn these acts that constitute threat to our developing democracy and save the future of our great nation.