By Abdullahi Ahmed
Last week,16 civil society organisations addressed the press in Abuja over an issue that has for long been of interest to most Nigerians: transparency in the running of the National Assembly and clear commitment from the law-making body to the fight against corruption. The press briefing was sequel to the submission of a petition on the subject to the office of the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki.
The press briefing anchored by Comrade Olanrewaju Suraju of the Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC), touched on six pro-accountability issues on which the CSOs demanded immediate action from the Senate. The high point of the demands by the CSOs is the opening up of the National Assembly budget to public scrutiny and a clear commitment to the current anticorruption effort of the federal government by resolving the conundrum around the confirmation of the EFCC acting chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.
As an important arm in the triangular architecture of governance, the National Assembly has a huge responsibility on the issue of good governance. It is the arm of government responsible for making laws for the country, and following up to ensure compliance by other arms of government.
However, within the National Assembly, the Senate is the lead chamber responsible for many important decisions of the law-making body. This also places the Senate President, as the Chairman of the National Assembly. It is for this reason that the CSOs targeted the Senate in its latest round of advocacy.
Transparency is key to operating an orderly and accountable system. It is an essential ingredient in the fight against corruption. It follows, therefore, that citizens in a democracy have a fundamental right to know and ask questions where necessary.
According to the CSOs, “Nigerians have been advocating for openness and accountability in the operations of government. It is commendable that the 8th National Assembly recently compelled such hitherto opaque agencies like FIRS, CBN and NNPC to subject their budget to scrutiny. It is, therefore, important that the National Assembly follows the rule it has set for other agencies and institutions by making its own budget open for public scrutiny.”
The Senate has been accused of maintaining a bloated budget. Considering the prevailing economic situation in the country, civil society and indeed all Nigerians demand of it an immediate review of its budget and spending, streamlining it in consonance with not only the present realities of the country but the everyday living conditions of majority of Nigerians.
Another important demand is on assets declaration. Nigerian leaders at all levels have developed thick skin to demands by citizens for them to publicly declare their assets. The CSOs re-echoed this issue by urging the Senate leadership to set the ball rolling by declaring it assets.
They also demanded full disclosure on pensions and gratuities received by former Governors and Deputy governors presently in the Red Chamber and receiving multiple housing and transportation allowances both as former state executives and serving Senators.
One key fallout of the demands by the CSOs was the issue of the conformation of Ibrahim Magu. In the view of the civil society representatives, one way the Senate would demonstrate goodwill in the fight against corruption is the confirmation of the EFCC acting chairman. This would show commitment and support for one of the cardinal objectives of the current government, which is the fight against corruption.
The anti-corruption war is one issue that is at the heart of all well-meaning Nigerians. Ibrahim Magu, who was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2015, has remained in acting capacity since then despite the president’s formal requests for the upper legislative chamber to confirm his appointment.
In January, the president once again resubmitted Magu’s name after administrative findings rubbished the report upon which the Senate relied to “reject” Magu in December. The Red Chamber has, however, remained unresponsive in acceding to the president’s request. This is in spite of Mr. Magu’s sterling achievements that have earned him nationwide accolades.
Many attribute the Senate’s indifference to the fear of the unknown among some of them, especially those who already have skeletons in their cupboards. And, talking of skeletons, one of the six points in the petition to the Senate leadership is for the investigation of allegations around financial impropriety in renting purported official houses for presiding officers of the National Assembly.
The CSOs noted on this issue: “For the sake of probity and the integrity of the Senate, we urge an independent inquiry into the allegations. Such unattended accusations have the unsavory effect of undermining the public standing of this important organ of governance.”
Through individual citizens and coalitions of civil society organisations, Nigerians have for a long time been expressing desire for a National Assembly that is responsive, responsible and fully accountable to the people whose interests the members ought to represent.
However, with all the entreaties, advocacies and agitations, according to the activists, “the Senate has failed to lead in providing the needed leadership for a more accountable system both within the National Assembly and in the larger governance architecture.”
These issues, among others raised in the petition, are germane and require the support of all Nigerians to impress upon the Senate and indeed all organs of government to be accountable to the people and take matters of transparency in governance more seriously.
Ahmed writes from Fagge, Kano.
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