…as NASS reconvenes today
By Emman Ovuakporie
After an unusual long six weeks break, the National Assembly has a plethora of national issues to contend with as lawmakers resume today.
On the front burner are issues such as ‘Amotekun,’ Lassa fever, coronavirus, Imo state Supreme Court verdict, insecurity across the country, Hate Speech and the Social media Bills.
These issues will go a long way in proving to Nigerians whether the ninth Assembly has truly adorned the toga of a rubber stamp legislature.
The manner the Nigerian lawmakers choose to address and tackle them will largely shape the federal legislature and by extension the body polity of project Nigeria.
Supreme Court verdict that nullified former governor of Imo state Hon Emeka Ihedioha is one of such sensitive issues.
The apex court had on January 14 sacked Ihedioha who came first in the last March Imo guber polls and crowned his fellow combatant Senator Hope Uzodinma, who came a distant fourth, governor.
The verdict was received with protests in different parts of Nigeria.
This is one acid test that the assembly must handle with iron cast gloves to give Nigerians a little ray of hope that the judiciary is still alive to deliver its duties to interprete laws of of our land.
‘Atomekun’ the south west security outfit is also another turbulent issue that must not be handled with kid gloves.
The Federal Government has taken a position and with a weak minority leadership in the House the matter maybe swept under the carpet.
In the Senate, if it is ever mentioned, Senator Eyninnaya Abaribe and his men may make a good case for the south west security outfit as opposition in the Red Chamber is still alive to its duties.
The Lassa fever scourge is fast taking a larger than life shape in Nigeria and there’s an urgent need for the lawmakers to properly look into it.
Conovirus another threat to human life is fast moving from China to various parts of the world and it’s not friendly to nobody so there’s a need to activate the various health bodies in Nigeria to be proactive.
Hate Speech and anti-media Bills too are expected to be tabled in NASS because of the wide condemnations that greeted their introduction.
Insecurity is also one major issue that demands the attention of the lawmakers as kidnappings, banditry across the six geo-political zones are on the increase.
Plying the roads and even rail transportation that Nigerians adjudged to be relatively safe is no longer safe.
As Nigerians welcome back our lawmakers, it’s good to remind them that the legislature is the beacon of democracy and there’s need to protect it.