By Femi Ayelabowo
The first test of political complexity in the All Progressives Party (APC) will be in the choice of the presiding officers of the National Assembly. The stake is very high and the permutations as to who gets what are currently dominating talks and the scheming for the sharing of juicy national offices. The political alignments within the party are likely to be more pronounced in the days ahead.
However, as we deepen democracy, strengthen the electoral process and gradually jettison the issue of zoning in our political arrangements for merit and national interest, it is expected that the same will apply in selecting leadership positions in the National Assembly. The House of Representatives altered the PDP arrangement for the zoning of speakership to the Southwest in the 7th session and went for what it considered national interest.
The Lawmakers voted for Aminu Tambuwal from the Northwest instead of Adeola Akande from the Southwest, fronted by the PDP. It is expected that the choice of the legislators in determining their presiding officers, aside the dictates of the party or the Executive, will be entrenched and sustained.
Political pundits
Already, political pundits who are familiar with the slippery politics in the National Assembly have warned the president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, not to interfere with the leadership choice of the two chambers when the 8th session begins. It is a delicate scenario that must be carefully managed. Again, national interest and the stability of the Federal Legislature should be prevailing factors and bases for strengthening our democratic practice. A natural leadership succession plan is always the best option to strengthen the parliament.
The Senate
There is no reason why the president-elect or any political group within the APC should try to influence the choice of the presiding officers of the National Assembly (NASS). What is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander. The choice of David Mark as the Senate President (PDP) and that of George Akume as Minority Leader of the APC in the 7th session, further lend credence to merit and national interest. Both leaders hail from Benue State in the North-Central and have performed creditably to bring stability to the Senate.
In advanced democracies, there is usually stability in leadership of the Congress, which is achieved through natural progression into positions reserved for wise men who command great honour among fellow lawmakers, respected by the executive and trusted by the people. For instance in the US Congress, leadership stability has been institutionalised. In Nigeria, it is high time we did away with the royal and decorative attachments to the leadership of the National Assembly. It must be about national responsibility and sound constitutional obligation.
As a nation, we must graduate to that point in the National Assembly such that the emergence of the executive structure does not alter or affect its leadership stability.
The Legislature is the hallmark and symbol of democracy and must be allowed to grow.
There is usually a written or unwritten understanding of right of first refusal in advanced democracies for this seamless progression. In Nigeria, it is the ranking rule.
The National Assembly must therefore lead the way for State Houses of Assembly to fortify our democracy.
There is a high risk for the APC in throwing open the contest for the leadership positions in the Senate. Lest we forget, at the heat of the defection of Aminu Tambuwal to the APC, the party made it abundantly clear that presiding officers of NASS can come from any party as long as it is supported by the members.
The implication of this is that a united PDP can still produce the Senate President with 45 Senators supporting a single candidate, if the 64 APC Senators divide their votes along two or more contending members for the seat. Bukola Saraki is said to have shown a strong interest in the position.
The APC must bear in mind that the leadership contest in NASS is capable of causing a deep crack in the party if not well managed. The PDP never recovered from the Tambuwal-Akande saga after the intervention of the executive led by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The politics of NASS is a delicate one for any ruling party. Nigeria is in dire need of a Senate that will guide it to good governance.
- Mr Ayelabowo, a political scientist, sent this piece from Ibadan via Femilabowo@gmail.com
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