It was a general accusation in the public space for almost eight years, but many were startled at the weekend when it came straight out of horse’s mouth that the National Assembly was a rubber stamp of many odious positions of the last Executive arm of government led by former President Muhamadu Buhari.
Another Senator, former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, brought the ghost of the controversy surrounding the return of Senate President Ahmad Lawan, who the Supreme Court paved the way for his return to the National Assembly, even after he did not participate in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries, lost at the high and appeal courts.
Okorocha, representing the lmo West senatorial District, sought to know from Lawan how to return to the senate without participating in primary election.
And then there was Senate Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who amazed his colleagues and a sneering gallery by shedding tears over what he said was his been called a thief and suffering persecution. Many mocked him quietly from the gallery, while some of his colleagues exchanged glances and suppressed laughter.
The Senator representing Adamawa South Senatorial District, Senator Binos Yeroe at the valedictory session noted that the approval of the N22.7tn Ways and Means validated the accusation by many Nigerians they were a rubber stamp of the Executive Arm.
Last May, the Upper House of Federal legislature approved the restructuring of the controversial N22.719 trillion naira ways and means advances
His words: “I agree with those who say the ninth Senate is a rubber stamp. Furthermore, the suspension of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, and subjecting him to investigation is a mild indictment on the National Assembly.
“I hope the 10th Senate will take its job as the watchdog of the executive more seriously. I also hope that the 10th Senate will operate and adhere to its own rules. Take the rules on the procedures of the bills in rules 76, 77 and 78 for instance, that state that bills that are being read should be circulated to all senators. But very often, bills passed first and second reading without senators reading through them. I hope the 10th Senate will conduct its business more properly.”
In his comments, Okorocha said
“I did not contest for the Senate this period. I only contested for the office of the president. You (Senate President) are a very smart politician. How you came back to the Senate is another chapter in our political history that we need to discuss.
“I was there in the field with you running for president, I never knew how you were able to meander, leaving some of us. Next time you must teach me how to do that.”
In his response, Lawan said;
“It was easy. I was there with you in the field and after our defeat, my constituents thought they needed me again. They asked for me to come back and it was a tortuous journey because we had to go through the courts.
“I didn’t even appeal the judgment that did not give me the contest. The party and the stakeholders appealed on my behalf up to the Supreme Court, so there is nothing critical or remarkable. In fact, you have nothing to learn from it.”
Lawan also spoke on the achievements of the outgone Upper House. According to him, the Senate passed over 500 bills in four years out of over 1,129 bills that were presented on the floor of the Senate.
“Today, I address you with mixed emotions. On the one hand, there is a sense of accomplishment for all that we have achieved together.
“My gratitude is to God Almighty for the privilege of serving the people of Nigeria and being a part of this revered legislative body, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria…
“In lawmaking, the 9th Senate introduced and successfully passed critical legislation that could reform and promote the economy, improve transparency in government processes.
“As of June 10, over 1,129 Bills were presented on the floor of the Senate, and over 500 were successfully passed.
“The President assented to 131 Bills; the highest of any Assembly in Nigeria’s history.
“In the last few days, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had assented to two Bills passed by the 9th National Assembly; the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Fifth Alteration) (No.37) Bill, 2023”.
“This extends the retirement age of high court judges and others, from 65 to 70 years. This was the first Bill to be signed by the President since taking the oath of office.
“Only yesterday (Friday), the 9th, he also assented to the Electricity Act 2023, which we had passed in July 2022.
“The new law replaces the Electricity and Power Sector Reform Act of 2005….
“Three hundred and sixty-one motions were moved in the 9th Senate and 488 Resolutions were passed.
“Through these various motions and resolutions, we called the government’s attention to specific issues and sought their intervention….
“We passed the Bill for the Establishment of a National Commission for Coordination and Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
“We passed other security-related laws, including the Police Act 2020, which introduced radical changes in the operations of the Nigerian Police Force and how they relate to the citizenry.”
Meanwhile, Chief Whip of the ninth Senate and former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, enthralled his colleagues and members of the public at the gallery when he shed tears at the valedictory session.
As he narrated his ordeal that saw him facing trial and spending time behind bars, tears flowed from his eyes.
“Before I came into politics, I could buy anything money can buy. I’m not a thief. Those that put me in prison know the reason. They took over my businesses and wanted to kill me yet I survived it and I’m in the Senate with you.
“I have never lacked. While I was in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where I served for two terms as governor, I brought the money that they used in forming that party, every penny, in 1997 and 1998, and I later became a thief.
“People I gave transport money from my house in Victoria Island became agents. This is what Nigeria represents. Thank you for giving me these four years of uninterrupted support. This country is not fair.”
