Saraki's Victory, Nigeria's Gain –People

It is interesting how everyone has suddenly acquired some kind of expertise in analysing National Assembly matters, especially on how National Assembly legislators should conduct themselves or elect their officers. Before Tuesday June 9, day National Assembly law makers, driven by the desire to sustain the independence of the Legislature, put their will to the test by electing its leaders, speculation was rife about nocturnal meetings and plots by some leaders of the All Progressives Congress party (APC) to arm twist members of the Assembly.

The rumours were so strong that everyone, politician or not had a good idea of the growing intrigues surrounding who and how the leadership of the Assembly would be constituted. It was such that weeks to the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly, Nigerians were already getting familiar with some names believed to have the blessings of some APC leaders. The social media was awash with such names as Senators George Akume, Abubakar Saraki, and Lawan, and others such as Honourables Yakubu Dogara, Mohammed Monguno, Femi Gbajabiamila, The only difference was that while it was said that Akume, Lawan and Gbajabiamila enjoyed the support of some high-heeled APC leaders, the likes of Saraki and Dogara had no chances. At least, so it was and untill the table turned, neither APC nor followers of any of the officers denied the rumor as it were.

Whether it was fortuitous or not, no one could explain, but at his inaugural speech, the President, Muhammadu Buhari, delivered his now famous 'I am for everyone and for nobody's speech'. Coming from a history of political godfatherism, the president's speech pointed to a season of independence. Nigerians were excited, especially as his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, was lampooned for being susceptible to manipulation by some greedy and self-serving political Hawks around him.

Although the president's speech was reassuring, the apparently nauseating intrigues regarding the composition of the leadership of the National Assembly did not stop, especially following the obviously gaged straw election organised by the party. Curiously, it was not just on National Assembly leaders, but also the list of potential cabinet members. This, perhaps, explains why gradually, but steadily, tension kept building waiting for the right time to tip.

That chance as common with politics came on June 9. In defiance to the perceived APC leader's plans to foist favored candidates dressed in party garb on the lawmakers, they went ahead to elect their leaders without recourse to party's instructions. A total of 57 senators returned Saraki unopposed as Senate President, while the Federal House of Representatives declared Dogara who pulled a total of 182 vote as against Gbajabiamila's 174, winner and Speaker. The exercise was immediately followed by oath administration on other senators and House of Representatives-elect by Senator Saraki and Honourable Dogara, respectively.

The elections at the floor of the Red and Green Chambers were peaceful. There was no case of revolt from either any member of the APC or PDP present. Interestingly, those who would be happy to have trouble reign forever in the National Assembly say the new leadership lack authority, because the inauguration coincided with the time some leaders of APC were said to be in a meeting with some lawmakers elected on the platform of the party. Amusing as it is ridiculous, such self-serving view can only validate the 'preferred candidate' rumour.

Today, it is well too clear to everyone that the initial stand of the APC on the National Assembly election matter is fueled by some-self-serving interests and bare-faced partisanship. But nobody is fooled, especially as there are no ambiguities regarding the power of National Assembly lawmakers to decide how they want their businesses to be conducted or who qualifies to hold the gavel. This is probably the beauty, which some media attack dogs and their paymasters have failed to appreciate. Incidentally, too, it is this same beauty that will provide the inner strength with which those who seek true independence of the legislature will stand and fight on the side of the Nigerian masses as opposed to a few feudal lords growing into monsters in the nation's political firmament.

Truth is, perhaps, the emergence of Saraki and Dogara would probably not have attracted as much as a pin-weight attention from anyone, including some APC stalwarts, if they were the anointed candidates of those who see themselves or assume that they reserve the right to determine what APC as a party hears, sees and does. Clearly, the event of Tuesday June 9, has exposed the dirty under belly of some party Hawks and the existence of two opposing camps in APC- one- the camp of those who had proposed in their hearts not to defy themselves with the king's meat - and, those determined to sheepishly follow the king even if he twists and turns; kicks or slaps them on way to his slave camp. More than anything else, it has also revealed the internal wrangling and power play driven by greed and selfishness in the APC that ordinarily should have been addressed but curiously allowed to fester on just so some emerging lords of the party will not take offence. That is why Senator Saraki and the 'Like-mind group' in the National Assembly deserve commendation for showing strength of heart when it mattered most.

Perhaps, it is this understanding that has compelled many Nigerians to view the development with studied caution. Apparently, the event produced shock losers as well as winners, the two, apparently, common denominators in all contests, particularly in all power tussles. But however one feels, it remains to be seen how all the senators and Honourable members can be wrong. Really, if they cannot decide who superintends over their affairs, where then, lies the value of their tickets and mandates to represent the people? Never forget that until this 8th National Assembly, the rule had been to always zone the posts. But, it would seem, the APC leaders had their drama scripts drawn in time. The party had told alarmed Nigerians that it was not going to zone any position, saying, only best candidates would be elected into the offices. How they intended to achieve this without conducting such elections at the floor of the National Assembly, would be an issue for another day. Perhaps, enough for today, is that the National Assembly members have chosen their leaders in Saraki and Dogara.

Indeed, to the discerning, the lawmakers could not have done better. Unlike in the past where some zones reeled over perceived marginalization, the current composition of the National Assembly leadership has addressed such grouse as all the nation's six geo-political zones benefitted from power sharing. While the Senate President, Dr Saraki hails from Kwara State in the the North Central zone, Honourable Dogara, from Bauchi State, represents the North East zone and both aremembers of the ruling APC. The re-elected Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, is an indigene of Enugu State in the South East zone. Although a member of the opposition, PDP, his position perfectly balances the power sharing equation as there are no high-ranking member of the National Assembly from the ruling APC in the South East.

In the same vein, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Yusuf Lasun, is from Osun State in the South West. The President, Mohammed Buhari, hails from Katsina State in the North West zone, while the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, hails from Ogun State in the South West zone and completes, for the first time, a perfect fusion and balance of power across the zones.

Indeed, Senator Saraki's leadership of the senate is Nigeria's gain. Or, is there a better alternative in a jaundiced senate leadership 'cooked' and 'served' from a politician's bedroom? Certainly, nothing could be more suicidal than allowing a few interests foist leaders on the nation under the cover of party rules. No society allows that as no individual is bigger than the entire country. Nigerians have travelled through the rough roads to get to where the nation is today and the only way to celebrate survival is to allow peace to reign and in doing so, every personal interest must take the second place behind national and collective interest. If the APC government must hit the ground running and deliver on their campaign promises, everyone must sheathe their swords and work together. It is only in doing so that the change mantra would make sense. Therefore, let the hues and cries cease; let the work begin. Let Nigerians consolidate on the Saraki senate presidency gains.

*Oba, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ahmed of Kwara State writes via e-Mail: abdulwahaboba@gmail.com

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