By Tonye Barcanista

In 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo sought to exercise control in the 4th National Assembly by doing all he could to ensure the emergence of Evans Ewerem and Salisu Buhari as Senate President and Reps Speaker respectively. He had his way, but barely two months later, Salisu was disgraced out for age and certificate falsification, was succeeded by 41 year old Ghali Na'abba.

The Na'abba led House overturned some of Obasanjo’s vetos, and even made attempts to impeach him until eminent Nigerians intervened. Na'abba lost his reelection in 2003.

In the Senate, Evans Ewerem was disgraced out as Senate President over name falsification 6 months in office and he was succeeded by Chuba Okadigbo - a nemesis of President Obasanjo. Though Okadigbo was also removed, his successor, Ayim Pius Ayim, was also an opposition to OBJ.

In the 5th NASS, 53 year-old Aminu Masari (who was seen as elderly) was elected Speaker. Obasanjo thought it would be smooth but the 4 years with Masari House was turbulent.

Adolphus Wabara who was elected the Senate President was also a thorn on Obasanjo's flesh. Obasanjo made attempts to get Senators to remove him but was unsuccessful. Luckily for Obasanjo, Wabara was accused by EFCC of receiving N50m bribe from Education Minister Fabian Osuji, and was removed from office. Ken Nnamani, who succeeded Wabara, was equally a bone in Pres Obasanjo's throat.

Wabara, Nnamani and Aminu Mansari played significant role to ensure the failure of Obasanjo proposed third term constitutional amendment. As payback, Obasanjo stopped Masari from succeeding Yar'adua as Governor, and ensured that Nnamani and Wabara didn't get Senate return ticket

In the 6th NASS, President Umaru Yar'adua was unbothered about the politics of the presiding officers. But Obasanjo (then ex-president and PDP BoT Chairman) was very much interested to consolidate his influence in the system. He ensured that David Mark and Patricia Etteh were elected Senate President and House Speaker respectively. But Patricia was forced out over N628 million alleged fraud just four months in office, and was replaced by 39-year-old Oladimeji Bankole.

Following the death of Yar'adua on 5th May 2010, President Goodluck Jonathan, a protégé of Obasanjo, sought to retain the status quo in the 7th NASS but Bankole could not make it back having lost reelection in 2011. In his stead, President Jonathan anointed the 51 year-old Mulikat Akande Adeola from Ogbomoso (Oyo) as Speaker, but some 'opposing' PDP Reps teamed up with opposition legislators to elect 45 year old Aminu Tambuwal instead. That 7th House was a thorn in the flesh of Jonathan all through his tenure.

In the Senate, David Mark retained his seat and was a dependable ally to President Jonathan.

When President Muhammadu Buhari was inaugurated President, his party, APC, preferred Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila for Senate President and Speaker respectively, but 'opposing' APC legislators alongside opposition PDP members overturned Buhari desire in favor of Bukola Saraki and 48-year-old Yakubu Dogara respectively. The relationship between the 8th NASS and President Buhari was anything but cordial to the extent that both legislative leaders switched alliance to the opposition PDP.

In the 9th NASS, Saraki couldn't earn a return to the Senate, while Dogara, who returned to the House, could not seek for another term as Speaker because PDP was minority party. President Buhari (serving his second term) still endorsed Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila for Senate President and Speaker respectively- which they both won. This paved way to make President Buhari (2019-2023) as the only President since 1999 that succeeded in installing his preferred choices as presiding leaders in both Houses of the NASS for the entire period of his four years.

As we await the inauguration and election of the 10th NASS leadership, the APC and President-elect Bola Tinubu already named Godswill Akpabio and 54-year old Tajudeen Abbas as preferred choices for Senate President and House Speaker. The choices are being challenged by others who are interested in the two top offices.

For the House, aspirants, especially those from the Northcentral are querying the choice of Tajudeen, insisting on producing the Speaker. For the Senate, Uzor Kalu (Southeast) and Abdulaziz Yari (Northwest) are seeking to stop Akpabio

Should either Akpabio, Tajudeen(anointed Speaker) or both fail to emerge, Nigerians may witness a fresh four years of Executive-Legislative turmoil.

June 6th will tell whether the President-elect Tinubu will employ his widely acclaimed mastery in politicking to play to produce his men as leaders of the NASS.


NOTE: The writeup is without prejudice to the cases at the Tribunal.

Only in Nigeria, the executive isn't supposed to get involved with the NASS elections.

It's not good for our democracy

The three arms of government should function independently and act as checks and balances on each other

God1000:
Only in Nigeria, the executive isn't supposed to get involved in the NASS election.

It's not good for our democracy

Well, the arms are meant to be independent of each other. The trend of Executive pocketing the legislature was started by President Obasanjo, others (his successors and even Governors) saw it as a way of consolidating their hold on the political system

He will want to use his abracadabra to install his boy oshiomole the way they deduct atiku and obi result to win presidential election.

TonyeBarcanista:
Well, the arms are meant to be independent of each other. The trend of Executive pocketing the legislature was started by President Obasanjo, others (his successors and even Governors) saw it as a way of consolidating their hold on the political system

that's an aberration though

Jostoman:
He will want to use his abracadabra to install his boy oshiomole the way they deduct atiku and obi result to win presidential election.

With the way NASS leadership election is conducted, President-elect Tinubu (or any other executive) cannot employ abracadabra style o. It's either pure politicking or inducement except he will employ Obaseki style... which itself will be counterproductive.

God1000:
that's an aberration though

While I agree that it is because it actually robs the country of viable legislature (as was seen during the 4th, 5th and 8th NASS), it profits the President to get away with literally everything (as witnessed in the 6th and 9th NASS)

leave the game for the master himself

Tinubu is as useless as Buhari. Nigerians should brace up for the incoming hardship

God1000:
Only in Nigeria, the executive isn't supposed to get involved with the NASS elections.

It's not good for our democracy

The three arms of government should function independently and act as checks and balances on each other

The executive often influences who becomes speaker in the USA and the president appoints the Chief Justice. So don’t take these things literally.

Jestin:
Tinubu is as useless as Buhari. Nigerians should brace up for the incoming hardship

As e dey pain dem, e dey sweet us, as e dey sweet us, e dey pain dem. Na you go cry taya.

18 days to get out of hell.

I wish Aisha will take with him the imprisoned boy and one small prison to use

Yes

Jestin:
Tinubu is as useless as Buhari. Nigerians should brace up for the incoming hardship

Which you will experience...


As for me and my household, no matter who rule this country... I will continue to enjoy aboundant of blessings

casualobserver:


The executive often influences who becomes speaker in the USA and the president appoints the Chief Justice. So don’t take these things literally.

He isn't wrong bro. In the USA, the Speaker and Senate Leader (Since the VP is the Senate President) is usually the most ranked member of the majority party.

BAT is a game changer , I really hope/pray his tenure will bring more success for my family and Nigerians

TonyeBarcanista:
While I agree that it is because it actually robs the country of viable legislature (as was seen during the 4th, 5th and 8th NASS), it profits the President to get away with literally everything (as witnessed in the 6th and 9th NASS)

Reno Omokiri recently wrote about why Tinubu is a Grand Master strategist whose achievement today is the out come of 35 years of planning. Part of what Reno wrote was Tinubu, being able to fix his men in every where that matters. What then really is the big deal about this question of yours?

Mark my words. Tinubu's government will be very successful.

History

Well, am not concern about his men but about people who deserve somethings more.

The SS deserve the SP more, if it's God's will no problem but Sha it must be from the SS.

As far as cooperation with Executive is concern, it all depends on leadership style and how cards are played.

All the Best to Us all as the New Government comes on Board.

@TonyeBarcanista, how far naw Bros? I go like join dey run Government ooo, link me to better person for the upcoming Government.

Good writeup Op.

Mehn Obj was more vindictive that I thought o. I use to think it was Tinubu he majorly had issues with in 1999/2000.

TonyeBarcanista:
While I agree that it is because it actually robs the country of viable legislature (as was seen during the 4th, 5th and 8th NASS), it profits the President to get away with literally everything (as witnessed in the 6th and 9th NASS)

Honestly meeehn,i dont know the versin of democracy we’re running in Nigeria, someone will elect every crook loyal to him,how will things function that way? Variety is the spice of life,uniformity is bad atimes!

God1000:
Only in Nigeria, the executive isn't supposed to get involved with the NASS elections.

It's not good for our democracy

The three arms of government should function independently and act as checks and balances on each other

You Like English too Much !

Talk What You Know ... Only in Where ..

So, I would want to Run Government for Four Years & I wouldn't Interfere in Who Shall Make or Mar My Administration for the Next Four Years Especially in Powerful NASS & Judiciary..

Dem no dey run am like that anywhere in the world ...

Na me go Put them there .... Na Installations I go Do With Right Grip On You to Work With My Ambitions For Our People & I Would Still Hold The Leeches to Discipline You Within Inner Cycle if You Wan Misbehave!

Saraki is the lesson to behold for any Sane President in Nigeria ... Buhari hear am First tenure !

See this Guy

God1000:
Only in Nigeria, the executive isn't supposed to get involved with the NASS elections.

It's not good for our democracy

The three arms of government should function independently and act as checks and balances on each other

Bro don't be deceived, there's hardly any country of the world that genuinely practice 💯 independence between Executive and Legislator. Even in Europe, US and co that we celebrate daily, the Powers that be have great influence in all political spheres. They just don't make it pronounced.

In an European country where I lived, the President has his allies in Parliament, Judiciary and co.

There's nothing like absolute independence of Power.

As BAT has traveled, he'll not come back alive.

BarrElChapo:
As BAT has traveled, he'll not come back alive.

Be very careful of what you wish for others in life,
So it won't come back to you and your household.
We pray this won't be your portion.
You get what you wish for others in life.
It's call KARMA!
It NEVER fails!!

pineed:

Don't mind the kid.

He's obviously a kiddo.
Some of those that wished PMB death for the last 8 years are no more here.

BarrElChapo:


If being in my 30s is being a kiddo, that’s fine but like I said Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not be alive to become president of Nigeria by Gods grace, Amen

Cc. pineed

You get whatever you wished for.
Point passed across.
✌️

BarrElChapo:
As BAT has traveled, he'll not come back alive.

Will you shut up. When men are talking idiots should keep shut!

Idiot!

post=123091070:

Be very careful of what you wish for others in life,
So it won't come back to you and your household.

We pray this won't be your portion.
You get what you wish for others in life.
It's call KARMA!

Don't mind the kid.