Given the current economic reality and hardships being experienced by the general public, what role has the 10th Senate under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio played in bringing relief to the people? Is the Senate apathetic and indifferent to the plight of its constituents while senators relax in their expensive SUVs and enjoy the perks of their office while some people think they are maintaining cosy relationships with the executive authorities?
The Senate President, Senator Akpabio, has not missed any opportunity to tell the people that the 10th Assembly will work in the interest of the people.
The current economic challenges facing the country have thrust a responsibility on those at the helm of power to take care of the vulnerable and most vulnerable. In this regard, senators of the 10th Assembly have distributed foodgrains worth over 200 million Nigerian Naira in their senatorial districts. And just recently, as part of efforts to address the food crisis in the country, lawmakers distributed truckloads of fertilizer to farmers following a motion on the floor of the Senate.
It should be noted that since the advent of the current democratic dispensation in 1999, the current Senate is the most diverse in terms of composition, comprising members from at least seven different political parties. This diversity of membership has brought positive vibrancy during debates and lawmaking processes. The 10th Senate has largely developed consensus building mechanisms, making it possible for senators, even from their varying backgrounds, to reach agreement on the most controversial issues.
Consensus building has seen many bills passed without animosity or opposition, especially bills that seek to promote the dreams, aspirations and well-being of Nigerians. When the National Assembly passed a bill to change the old national anthem, there was a natural uproar over the speed with which it was considered. Many on social media asked, “how will this change the price of rice” “how will this put food on Nigerians’ tables” etc. But the same National Assembly even more hastily passed a new minimum wage bill, which increased the wages of the lowest-income Nigerian workers by more than 100 percent.
The significance of this is not just the swift passage of this bill, but it is significant. Senators showed great commitment by adjusting their legislative timetable to pass this one item. The Senate leadership has on several occasions engaged labour unions to prevent strikes related to not only the minimum wage but also the overall well-being of Nigerian workers. These are aspects of the National Assembly that no one talks about.
With the passage of the South East and North West Development Commission Bills, the 10th Senate has acted in the interest of the people of Nigeria to fulfill their wishes and aspirations. These are revolutionary pieces of legislation that have the potential to change the developmental paradigm of the geopolitical zones.
While the SEDC will ensure reconstruction and rehabilitation of damaged roads, houses and other infrastructural structures in the region, as well as address ecological problems and other related environmental or developmental challenges in the South-Eastern states, the NWDC has been set up to facilitate the reconstruction of roads, houses and business premises destroyed by the multidimensional crisis, as well as address poverty, literacy levels, ecological problems and other related environmental or developmental challenges in the North-Western states.
It took the courage of the 10th Senate to pass and enact the SEDC into law. The agitation for the establishment of the commission started many years ago. In fact, the bill to establish the commission was passed by the 8th Senate but former President Muhammadu Buhari did not give his assent to it while the bill was rejected twice during the previous administration.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, is also affected by the passage of the SEDC Bill.
The Senate has achieved these feats on the back of a collaborative effort with the executive. “Who is to say that Nigeria will not see a great leap in socio-economic development in the face of a purposeful collaboration inspired by mutual respect between the organs of government, particularly the legislature and the executive?” But many Nigerians judge the performance of the legislature by how much it has deferred to the executive. They want to see a legislature that will cross swords with the executive even if it does not yield any tangible benefits to the people.
The 10th Senate through its people-oriented legislation has enacted laws for welfare and security and has worked hard through motions, bills and resolutions to promote the interest and welfare of the general public, while Nigerians are hoping for more positive impact from this important organ of government.
– Ekong is SA Media's candidate for Senate President
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