With a 12 point strongly worded resolutions, members of the National Assembly appear to have drawn the battle line with the Presidency.
Some observers saw it coming with the spouting cold war between the two arms of government.
It is indeed a war of attrition that may have dire consequences on both sides if it is not quickly arrested.
In the estimation of most members of the National Assembly, the Presidency has crossed the red line.
They seem to have concluded the enough is enough hence the audacious resolutions.
The linking of Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, with the deadly Offa robbery that claimed 33 lives and the threat of arraign Speaker, House of Representatives Yakubu Dagara over alleged budget padding may have the last straw that broke the camel’s back.
The lawmakers captured their grievances their 12 point resolution.
The National Assembly was charged on Tuesday as the two chambers reconvened for the plenary.
Unexpected high number of security personnel swarmed the National Assembly complex.
Entitled resolution of the joint session of the National Assembly, the obvious angry lawmakers declared:
“The National Assembly held a Joint Executive Session today, Tuesday, June 5th, 2018, where lawmakers resolved as follows:
“The Security Agencies must be given marching orders to curtail the sustained killing of Nigerians across the country and protect lives and properties of Nigerians as this is the primary duty of any responsible Government;
“The systematic harassment and humiliation by the Executive of perceived political opponents, people with contrary opinions including Legislators and Judiciary by the police and other security agencies must stop;
“There must be strict adherence to the Rule of Law and protection for all citizens by the President and his appointees;
“The President must be held accountable for the actions of his appointees and must be ready to sanction those that carry out any act which will ridicule or endanger our country and democracy;
“The Government should show sincerity in the fight against corruption by not being selective . It should also prosecute current appointees that have cases pending against them;
“The sanctity of the National Assembly should be protected and preserved by the Federal Government of Nigeria by not interfering in its business and prosecuting those who invaded the Senate to seize the mace;
“National Assembly should liaise with International Communities through the IPU, APU, ECOWAS, CPA, Parliament, Pan African Parliament, EU, UN, US congress and UK Parliament to secure our democracy
Democratic elections must be competitive and inclusive by removing the present reign of fear and intimidation particularly as we approach the forthcoming 2019 elections;
“The National Assembly will work closely with Civil Society Organizations, Trade Unions and NGOs to further deepen and protect our democracy;
“The President must take immediate steps to contain the growing level of unemployment and poverty in Nigeria especially now that we have advantage of the oil price having risen to $80 per barrel;
“Both chambers of the National Assembly hereby pass a vote of confidence on the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the entire leadership of the National Assembly;
“We reaffirm our earlier resolution of vote of no confidence on the Inspector General of Police who does nothing other than preside over the killing of innocent Nigerian and consistent framing up of perceived political opponents of the President and outright disregard for constitutional authority, both executive and legislative;
“Finally, the National Assembly will not hesitate to invoke its Constitutional powers if nothing is done to address the above resolutions passed today.”
Apart from the controversial emergence of Saraki and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu as Senate President and Deputy Senate President against the directive of the ruling All Progressives Congress, the refusal of the Senate to confirm Ibrahim Magu as Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, was a major source of friction between the two arms.
The arraigning of Saraki for alleged false declaration of asset was another point of disagreement.
With the 12 point resolution, the two arms government may have reached a point of no return in their frosty relationship.
Source:The Nation
