Executive, Senate as patriots for democracy
Nigeria is in a state of anomie now and there is actually a need for patriots to find a way to safe our democracy. My reasons for leaving the PDP had been earlier discussed severally but I left the PDP because I fundamentally disagreed with what was going on in the party. Coalition of Nigeria […]
Nigeria is in a state of anomie now and there is actually a need for patriots to find a way to safe our democracy. My reasons for leaving the PDP had been earlier discussed severally but I left the PDP because I fundamentally disagreed with what was going on in the party. Coalition of Nigeria Movement CNM is a brilliant idea and to every discerning mind. To that extent, the coalition that Obasanjo is leading is what I’m proud to be a part of and I’m part and parcel of it even though I’m the South West leader of Accord Party. As a party, we identified with that movement and we hope to come to a working relation in not too distant future.
Senate President Bukola Saraki to me is not overbearing. He is only decisively focused. How come he now has an opportunity to allow the impeachment process to go ahead but stopped it? How come he did not constitute a medical team to visit the president in London when he was sick to determine if he was fit to continue? What they have done is to ensure that the legislature is not a rubber stamp of the executive. That is not what is intended by the constitution. I see Saraki as an intelligent and patriotic democrat who is firm and focused. Any leadership that is not firm and focused is useless. If you must lead you must show the way and in showing the way you must be firm. This person has shown strength, intellect, capability and popularity amongst his colleagues.
The dexterity of the executive to come to consensus with the legislature is what will show the proficiency of those that head the executive in their jobs. Personally, I am extremely very proud of this 8th senate. And I believe sincerely that they have done more to protect democracy than their previous counterparts. In the moment of severe stress when the president was ill and even friends of this administration wanted the president removed, the Senate stood their grounds to stabilize the country. They stood as bulwark and did not allow our thinking and frustrations to override them emotionally. I must give a lot of commendation to Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Senate President. In my opinion, he is the most cerebral of all the Senate Presidents we have had. We have in him a quintessentially sane, focused and cerebrally balanced young man that has the control and respect of his colleagues. If not for that fact, we would probably be in much more serious trouble by now. Look at what happened recently when people genuinely raised the expenditure of the executive without consent of the National Assembly. It is an impeachable offence as a matter of fact, sentiment apart. But look at the dexterity and maturity that was applied by the Senate President that was devoid of indecorous behavior because of the confidence that his colleagues repose in him. He was able to manipulate and douse the tension by taking the issue to Judicial Committee. That is the hallmark of a true nationalist and a leader. This is a man that is being vilified by the same executive. I don’t think leadership comes better than that. Having said that, the executive needs to do much more. It has nothing to do with personality clashes. The three arms of government are on equal pedestal.
Dr. Doyin Okupe is the South West leader of Accord Party