EDITORIAL: A Show Of Shame

…. We Have Been Vindicated

Two weeks ago, in endorsing the candidature of Dr Ajibola Basiru for the senate  (Osun Central Senatorial district), this newspaper made a clarion call for the electorate to send well prepared, emotionally matured representatives like him to the legislative assemblies. He is not the only one, Mr Adelere Oriolowo, running in Osun West is another good example.

This is because attention has always disproportionately centered on election for the executive positions. Our endorsement of candidates such as Dr Ajibola has very little to do with party affiliation. It has to do with the preparation necessary for the vital work which needs to be done in a legislature in a democracy.

This disgraceful conduct of some miscreants hardly distinguished, dishonourable members of the national assembly two days ago has vindicated the foresight of our position. The merits and demerits of the budget was not the issue.  In fact we have serious reservations about the mental capacity of a lot of the dishonourables to interpret a balance sheet let alone comprehend a budget. This show of shame, alas, is a reflection of the emotional instability of those who cannot comprehend the enormity of the responsibilities placed on their fragile (inadequate, if we want to be in polite) shoulders.

President Buhari showed the expected maturity of a statesman in his comportment and rode the contrived storm. Tellingly, he admonished the miscreants that “the world is looking at us.” It is indeed a very sorry presentation of the country to the world.

On our part, we once again take this opportunity to advice the electorate to be very discerning about those they elect to the legislatures at every level. No Governor or President can do the work alone. In a democracy, seasoned and discerning minds are needed in the legislature to fine-tune, advice and assist. We therefore have an obligation to our readers to continue to beam the searchlight on those running and to endorse those we feel will make a positive difference.