Parliamentary forgery?

Posted By: Hardball on: July 28, 2015

Parliamentary forgery — geez, isn’t that a violent contradiction in terms? Parliamentary language is the best of language. Parliamentary conduct is the best of conduct.

So, parliamentary immunity is fair exchange for parliamentary language and refined conduct, just as ex-cathedral sermons are concessions to the clergy as presumed moral avatar; and judicial immunity, as just concession to the judge, presumed fair and above board, in his court?

So, where does parliamentary forgery fit into all of these?

If you pardon the virtual stream of consciousness of a troubled soul, that was how Hardball’s mind started working, at the break of the latest scandal in Nigeria’s legislative horizon. Alleged parliamentary forgery, often rigged elections: are these the fundaments of Nigerian democracy? Awful!

News claim the police have established a prima facie case of alleged forgery, in the controversial election that delivered Bukola Saraki as president of the Senate and Ike Ekweremadu, as his deputy. The news claimed that the Senate Standing Order 2011, the extant one before the inauguration of the present 8th Senate, was illegally tinkered with. That altered document, it further alleged, provided the legal platform for the June 9 inauguration and election of principal officers.

In the often dramatic partisan world, if indeed the forgery is proved, a side would rejoice and a side would mourn. To the partisans, it is yet another victory — or defeat — in a chain of battles in the often fierce war for partisan control. So, life goes on — after all if you lose today, you could win tomorrow!

But sorry, Hardball does not share such a sanguine viewpoint! Indeed, in his view, both sides are losers — for why would anyone: a parliamentarian worth his or her name, senators, the highest ranking symbols of Nigeria’s electoral democracy, and the National Assembly bureaucracy, peopled by bureaucrats of the best crust, why would anyone, in that exalted circle, even think of, not to talk of actually indulging in, rule forgery? And he who brazenly forges parliamentary rules, would he blink a second from forging actual laws for self benefits? Sheer horror!

Just as well, the Buhari presidency has sworn it would not shield anyone, no matter how highly or lowly placed, from prosecution for the alleged forgery. Just as well, because it is good the presidency is showing good leadership in the matter.

But the legal front appears set for the notorious, permissive Nigerian debate, that most often ruins the country; and permits felons to get away with murder.

While some silks have thundered prosecution of whoever were involved, a very senior silk has invoked parliamentary sovereignty, claiming parliament is so sovereign the police cannot investigate a basic breach of the law that even operates its conduct! Is parliament then above the law? If it is, is the executive too — and the judiciary?

If so, why do citizens drag the government (the executive) to court? And why do judicial officers drag one another to court for alleged breach of their own rules?

Whoever was involved in that alleged forgery should face the law — and there must be no prevarication! Also, any talk of “political solution” should be regarded as what it is: crap!

Only prompt and speedy judicial resolution of the matter would wipe the putative reproach from the National Assembly.

Parliamentary forgery? Perish the thought! And on this campaign, every patriot worth his or her name must clamber on board.

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