NIGERIA AND HER LEGISLATURE

July 06, 2017

Nigeria and her Legislature By Abdullahi Malumfashi.

Just recently, a former governor and a serving Senator of Yobe east was caught in a sex scandal, as a video released by Sahara reporters showed him with two ladies in a room. Bukar, who had been a Governor of the state for 9 years (1992-1993, then 1999-2007) joined the den of former governors in the Senate in 2007 and has been there since. 


Bukar did not only confirmed he was indeed the person in the video, but claimed it is a personal matter and it has nothing to do with the public. “This is a personal, private matter. What does my having been with a girl have to do with the public?" He was quoted to have said. “Is it because I am a public official then I am not supposed to be entitled to private life?” He also referred to it as 'something that happened between two adults'. Many have taken his side, that it is indeed a private affair but I beg to differ.


Had the Senator opted to retire from public service after finishing his tenure as a Governor, he would had all the private time he want. Instead, he came to the Senate where he is serving his constituents and representing Nigeria. He is a public officer now, and whether he likes it or not, this affects the public as the image of the Parliament and the government is at stake here. 


But the Parliament is no alien to such scandals. Back in 2016, three House of Representatives members were accused of attempted rape and soliciting for sex by The US ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle while on a visit to the country for a program in Ohio. The lawmakers, as usual have denied the allegations vehemently, and even threatened to sue the ambassador and the US government for allegedly defaming their character! These are the people who make laws for the land.


It is of interest to note that, one of the wives of the Senator is Hajiya Bukar Abba Ibrahim, a serving minister of the federation, the more reason why this should not be private. The Senator in his arrogant manner neither think of the impact this could have on the honourable minister nor and the government at large in these turbulent times nor the result on his other two wives and children when he denied it is a private affair. 


In any sane society, the natural thing to would have been to apologize sincerely to those he is representing, his wives and children and simply resign from his seat as a senator. But alas, in Nigeria we are seeing none. He simply does not feel remorseful for his action nor would he apologize. The issue of resigning is out of the question. As a matter of fact, he might just seek for reelection come 2019 even while he is not active in the chambers. After all, a statement telling his constituents that whether they like it or not he is going back to the Senate was once credited to him.


Instead of it to refer the issue to the ethics committee and perhaps be recommended for suspension for tarnishing the image of the institution, the Senate is busy trying to make the Senate President the acting President of the federation and wading into 'dead on arrival' Dino's recall process. May God save us from this legislature.


Abdullahi Malumfashi can be contacted via abdalladamfashi@gmail.com.

Any surprise? Nigeria still remains the ultimate zoo being operated by first grade animals at almost all levels.

Of all the madness plaguing za zoo, indeed this one is a minor engagement....