By Olowogboyega Oyebade
Have you ever watched Professor Wole Soyinka’s play titled: “Requiem for a Futurologist? Are you familiar with Laolu Oguninyi’s plays titled:”In Need” where the casts prayed at the end, saying: “May We Never See It Again”? Are you aware that these plays were critical of the rent-seeking syndrome of the 1983 political genre? Have you watched the enterprise in a motor park? Do you observe that touts do not join the vehicles to destinations, just concerned to collect commission and care less for the safety of the passengers or even the vehicles? Do you know that it is calamitous for any Assembly at all to be rent-seeking? Do you know that Osun Assembly under Honorable Najeem Salam has done us proud by cooperating maximally with Ogbeni Rauf AdesojiAregbesola and his worthy successor, Mr AdegboyegaOyetola? Do you know that their commitment has put our State on the world map of peace and stability? You care to know more? Come along, please.
Have you asked why President Trump on 15 May, 2019 signed an executive order giving the Federal Government of the United States the power to block US companies from buying foreign-made telecommunications equipment deemed a national security risk, giving the Secretary of Commerce power to determine which transactions may be potential risks to the security of the country? Are you aware that the White House used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to implement the ban on importing 5G technology without any dissenting voice from the Congress? Do you know that the Parliament of China works with government to control everything with law? What is 5G technology? Come along.
Do you know that 5G is a cellular network technology that provides broadband access to enable Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), and Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC) ? Do you know that it is designed to bring faster speeds and lower lag times than previous wireless networks like 4G and 3G? Do you know that it is designed to give consumers faster downloads of videos, games and for deployment to other strategic concerns? Are you aware that it has the capacity to be used for advance remote surgery in medicine, control of driver-less cars, self-flying planes, satellite, robots and more? Do you know that last February, the heads of major US intelligence agencies told American citizens not to use Huawei or ZTE phones because they can be used for espionage? Do you know that the Congress has queued up behind their President without any party difference forming any pont of reference? President Donald Trump voice cuts in saying: “the race to 5G is a race America must win”?
Do you that the leadership of a country must have a race to win for the people? Do you know that a government is defined by the presence or absence of quality legislature? Do you know that a sure race we must run is to join the rest of the world to develop or adapt 5G technology to develop education, science, innovation and our collective security? Do you know that this ambition cannot be realised if the legislature and the executive are strange bed-fellows? Do you know that if we delay, then we will be far away to civilization in everything?
Do you know that science fiction has a way of teasing our imaginations? Are you aware that they are realistic speculations about possible future events that are contemplated to happen through the outcomes of scientific method? Do you know that Francis Bacon’s ‘New Atlantis’ published in 1627, Jonathan Swift’s ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ (1726) are books that are science-fiction stories? May God bless Herbert George Wells (21 September 1866 – 13 August 1946). Do you know that he was an English prolific writer best remembered for his science fiction novels? Are you aware that he wrote a number of utopian works and foresaw the advent of aircraft, tanks, space travel, nuclear weapons, satellite television and something resembling the World Wide Web? Have you read any of his books: “The Time Machine” (1895), “The Island of Doctor Moreau” (1896), “The Invisible Man”(1897), “The War of the Worlds” (1898) and “The War in the Air”(1907)? Are you aware that these works of art are products of the “ Age of Reason”, the age of science, innovation and development? Do you know that Jules Verne’s science fiction titled “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” published in (1870) with detailed scientific accuracy predicted the nuclear submarine which we now use? When last did you see Nigerians writing science fictions? Should that not bother our National Assembly to advocate a change in our curriculla of education? What do you see in our films purported to depict our culture? Is it not witchcraft? Is it not a display of voodoo? Is it not a display of rituals? Is it not a show of Abrahamic faith without hard-work?
Do you know James Bond series? Are you aware that it was created as a fiction of the British Secret Service agent in 1953 by Ian Fleming to show intelligence, vision and the future? Do you know that the character has been adapted for television, video games and films estimated in 2015 to be worth $19.9 billion in media franchises? Where is our James Bond? Has the National Assembly of our time located through their legislative compass where our James Bond is living or buried? Do you know that the Bond films are renowned for a number of features, including the musical accompaniment, with the theme songs having received Academy Award nominations on several occasions, and two wins? Do you know that his films are always having signature cars, guns, and the gadgets laced with science fictions? Have you watched the Star Wars and flying vehicles in that film? Do you know that Physics and Chemistry have brought about the exploits of science from the abyss of fiction to crystal rock of reality now in our world? Do you know that the leaders of all our Assemblies need to watch Soyinka’s ‘Requiem for a Futurologist’ again?
Are you a futurologist? Do you know what we call a flying car? Are you aware that it is now beyond fantasy and science fiction, a type of personal air vehicle or road-able aircraft that provides door-to-door transportation by both ground and air? Hurray! A self-flying taxi has been launched on Friday 17th May, 2019 in Dubai. Do you know that it is now possible for a taxi to drive on the road or fly as it pleases? Do you know that it is no longer compulsory for pilots to be in these self-flying taxis? Do you know that soft-wares have been developed to take all the work away from the human pilots so as to make the car affordable to all the men and women of means in the world? Do you know that it is now possible for flying taxis to fly from door to door or park like ordinary vehicles on the road or beside a common joint? That is the power of vision and thinking of some people. Do you know that with the coming of the 5G technology, the advent of self-flying taxis in all cities of the world is a done-deal?Doyou know that we must cultivate an idea now of electing men and women who understand what the issues are into our National and State Assemblies and to the Executive arm of Government? Do you know that this must be the meaning of our party slogan tagged: “next level”? The voice of Steve Nordlund, vice president and General Manager of Boeing NeXt, in a release, cuts in: “From building air vehicles to airspace integration, we will usher in a future of safe, low-stress mobility in cities and regions around the world.”
Do you know that the State of Osun under the leadership of Mr Adegboyega Oyetola is moving to that next level? Have you heard the news? Do you know that one of the students in the public school in our State scored 319 marks in the just released results of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)? Do you know that this stellar performance is a as a result of the contributions of the government and teachers in our State? Do you know that the Osun State House of Assembly has been the pillar for various achievements of the APC-led Government in the State of Osun? Do you know that our flying car of peace in space is the Osun House of Assembly under the captainship of Right Honourable Dr NajeemFolasayo Salam. Do you know what a good legislature is? If you cannot ask President Buhari, then come along with us.
Are you aware that a legislature is an assembly with the authority to make laws and may be elected or appointed? Do you know that they wield varying degrees of power in different jurisdictions? Are you aware of a 2009 research of Steven Fish and Matthew Kroenig on Parliamentary Powers Index to quantify the different degrees of power among national legislatures in the world? Do you know that the National Assembly of Germany called Bundestag, the National Assembly of Italy called Parlamento Italiano, and the parliament of Mongolia called Great Khural are the most powerful parliaments in the world? Are you aware that Myanmar’s House of Representatives and Somalia’s Federal Parliament are the weakest parliaments in the world? Do you know that theseparation of powers doctrine sees the legislature in a presidential system as a branch of government along with both the judiciary and the executive? What is separation of powers? You care to know? Come along,.
Do you know that Aristotle of Stagira was the first writer to suggest the idea of a mixed government in his book titled ‘Ethics and Politics’? Are you aware that John Calvin (1509–1564) wrote about a system of government that divided political power between democracy and aristocracy by setting up several political institutions which should complement and control each other in a system of checks and balances? Do you know that these theses were popularized by a French political scientist called Montesque while writing about distribution of powers in his book “The Spirit of the Laws (1748)? Do you know that he based his model on the Constitution of the Roman Republic which had powers separated so that no one could usurp complete power and the British constitutional system among the monarch, Parliament, and the courts of law? The voice of Montesquieu in “The Spirit of the Laws, Book XI” cuts in:
“When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner.There would be an end of every thing, were the same man, or the same body, whether of the nobles or of the people, to exercise those three powers, that of enacting laws, that of executing the public resolutions, and of trying the causes of individuals.”
Do you know that the 8th National Assembly is already singing the closing glee? Do you know that Senate President, Bukola Saraki, during the Orientation Programme for members-elect of the 9th National Assembly last weak, listed some achievements of the Red Chamber? Are you aware that he disclosed that the 8th Senate have passed 274 Bills in 46 months, and cleared 192 Petitions in the same period? The voice of Dr Bukola Saraki resonates: ”The 8th National Assembly made a lot of interventions on everyday human issues affecting Nigerians, be it unfair price hikes, examination malpractices, sexual harassment in our educational institutions or the drug problem ravaging our communities.”
Do you know that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, chose to evaluate the 8th National Assembly through a press statement issued by his media adviser, Turaki Hassan, last week Tuesday? Do you know that part of the achievements listed include: stabilizing the government, approval of the $1 billion fund for arms purchase “without appropriation”, helping the government improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria, amending Section 81(1) of the Constitution to compel the President to present the Budget estimates not later than 90 days to the end of a financial year and some other Acts? While defending the usual undue delay in passing the Federal Appropriation Act, the voice of Dogara resonates:
“There was no urgency or plan by the Executive to achieve a January to December budget cycle, in the last four years….The 2016 Budget was submitted on December 22, 2015, while that of 2017 was submitted on 14th December, 2016, just 17 days to the end of the year, the 2018 Budget was presented on 7th November, 2017, and the 2019 budget was presented 12 days to the end of 2018.”
Do you know that the out-going 8th National Assembly has been alleged at different times for budget-padding, re-configuring budgets for self-interest? Are you aware that Speaker Dogara swiftly answered with the words of his lordship, Hon Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High court, in suit No.FHC/ABJ/CS/259/2014 delivered on March 9, 2016? Held:
“The National Assembly was not created by drafters of the Constitution and imbued with the powers to receive ‘budget estimates’ which the first defendant is constitutionally empowered to prepare and lay before it, as a rubber stamp parliament. The whole essence of the budget estimates being required to be laid before Parliament is to enable it, being the Assembly of the representatives of the people, to debate the said budget proposals and to make its own well-informed legislative inputs into it.”
Do you know that a mirror does not see itself, except by reflection? Just as the leadership of the 8th Assembly has the right to defend its actions or inactions, do you know that other people in the country have opinions about the Assembly which should be freely expressed and respected? Do you know AsiwajuTinubu? Are you aware that he does not talk except there is the compelling need to do so? Now, he has talked. And his assessment of the 8th National Assembly should be seen as a fair comment of somebody that has seen it all. The comment of Asiwajuresonates:
“The leadership of the National Assembly stymied the APC legislative initiatives while attempting to hoist noxious reactionary and self-interested legislation on the nation….Just look at the way Saraki and Dogaraand their ilk hijacked the Budget Process these past four years. National budgets were delayed and distorted as these actors repeatedly sought to pad budgets with pet projects that would profit them. ..Even worse, they cut funds intended to prosper projects that would have benefitted the average person. After four years of their antics halting the progress of government, we should do all we can to prevent a repeat of their malign control of the National Assembly”.
Do you know that these are fair comments? Do you know that Section 4 of the Constitution recognizes the National Assembly and Sections 47-49 of the 1999 Constitution state: “There shall be a National Assembly (NASS) for the federation which shall consist of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives”? Can the leadership of the National Assembly see now that this provision does not include that the National Assembly of Nigeria should be the most expensive legislature in the world? Has the 8th Assembly not realised why the general call for the Gambian Theory of scrapping the Senate so intense in this dispensation than any other?
Are you aware that Section 88, Sub-sections 1(a)-(b) and 2(a)-(b) of the 1999 Constitution provides:1. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, “each House of the National Assembly shall have power by resolution published in its journal or in the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation to direct or cause to be directed an investigation into – (a) any matter or thing with respect to which it has power to make laws; and (b) the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for – I. executing or administering laws enacted by the National Assembly, and II. disbursing or administering moneys appropriated or to be appropriated by the National Assembly. 2. The powers conferred on the National Assembly under the provisions of the section are exercisable only for the purpose of enabling it to – (a) make laws with respect to any matter within its legislative competence and correct any defects in existing laws; and (b) expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by it”? Do you know that the Nigerian people have not yet seen in the journal of the National Assembly or any Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation the actual salary and all emoluments of each member of the National Assembly? Why is it that the unofficial journal that published the largesse is Senator Shehu Sanni ? Has the leadership of the National Assembly not reviewed the sudden progression of the National Assembly Budget which was in 1999, (# 2,204,150,000), year 2000 (29,458,065,950), year 2001 (#15,488,000,000), year 2002 (#28,161,930,230), year 2003 (#23,347,116,582), year 2004 (#34,729,324,335), year 2005 (#55,432,457,558), year 2006 (#44,999,999,999), year 2007 (#60,000,000,000), year 2008 (# 73,741,326,233),year 2009 (# 123,192,333,760), year 2010 (# 154,205,234,695), year 2011 (# 150,000,000,000),year
2012 (# 150,000,000,000), year 2013 (#150,000,000,000), year
2014 (#150,000,000,000), year 2015 (#227,000,000,000), year
2016 (#115, 000,000,000), year 2017 (#125,000,000,000), year
2018 (#139.5 00,000, 000). Do you know that the allocation to the National Assembly for 2019 is still shrouded in secrecy? The total allocation to the National Assembly from 1999 to 2015 is N1,471,959,939,342. Are the members of the Assembly aware that this was part of the reason the last administration was excused from office? Do you know that the 8th Assembly has not corrected this impasse? Do you know that research shows that only 9 per cent of all proposed bills between 1999 and 2015 had the opportunity of becoming laws? Can Dr Bukola Sarakiand Hon. Yakubu Dogara quip a bit and ask the electorates in their respective constituencies why they are crying for intense scrutiny in the past few days over the payment of N13.5 million monthly to the members of the National Assembly as running costs at the time that the minimum wage is only #30,000? Do you know that the secrecy with which the National Assembly engaged in financial transactions attracted public outcry with many demanding that such transactions should be made open? The voice of former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, in a letter he addressed to Dr. Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara, in January this year resonates: “The practice in the National Assembly detracts from “distinguishness” and “honourability” because it is shrouded in opaqueness and absolute lack of transparency and could not be regarded as normal, good and decent practice in a democracy that is supposed to be exemplary.”
Despite this drawback, do you know that the 8th Assembly passing 296 bills between June 2015 and May 2019, the highest since 1999? Do you know that some of its landmark bills include: the Nigerian Railway bill 2015, National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (est., etc) bill 2015, Electronic Transaction bill 2015, Agriculture Credit Guarantee Scheme Act (amendment) bill 2015, Commercial Agriculture Credit Scheme (Est., etc.) bill, 2015, Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (prohibition) bill 2015 and National Poverty Eradication Commission (Est., etc.) bill 2015, Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous provision) Amendment Bill 2015, Food Security bill 2015, Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service (establishment, etc) bill 2015, Nigeria Football Federation (Establishment, etc) bill 2015, National Sports Commission (establishment, etc) bill 2015, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection bill 2015, witness protection programme bill 2015, Defence Space Agency (establishment, etc) bill 2015, Not too Young to Run bill and the Minimum Wage bill 2019 and many more?
Do you know that with barely two months to the end of the 8th National Assembly, the wound caused by the fractured relationship between the Executive and the Legislature is our own self-flying car in space? Do you know that as part of the moves to challenge the President, the Senate activated a move to override the executive veto on two bills…the Fourth Alteration Bill No. 28, a constitution amendment, which seeks to provide for the time within which the president or governor shall lay the Appropriation Bill before the National or State Assembly., and the Industrial Development (Income Tax Relief) Amendment Bill, a bill that will enable companies that expand their operations in pioneer industry or product to apply for a new pioneer status? Are you aware that since the inauguration of the 8th Assembly, President Buhari has vetoed over 36 bills passed by the parliament and in 2019 alone, the president has vetoed over 15 bills passed by both chambers of the National Assembly? Do you know that if there has been cordial relationship, the country would have not gone through this agony?.
Do you know that as high as the number of the bills passed by the 8th National Assembly, so high were also numbers of those bills totalling 50 as at May 9, 2019, vetoed by President Muhammadu Buhari on reasons ranging from duplication of functions between envisioned agencies and existing ones, to infractions on extant laws? The voice of Ogunlesi, representing the President tweets:
“One is that a good number of these bills tend to be rent-seeking in nature. They seek to carve out a special ‘fund’ for the exclusive benefit of an agency. …Another reason is that some of the bills are “conflicting with or duplicating existing legislation. That is, a bill gets passed that contains provisions that contradict or duplicate provisions of one or more existing acts. Another major reason for the rejection of bills by the president is the quality of the drafting of some of these bills. Poorly/clumsily worded, containing internal contradictions, lending self to confusing interpretation”.
Do you now see a bit of how the executive arm of government rode and is riding on the back of tigers in the 8th National Assembly? Do you now see why thepeople of the State of Osun need to appreciate the Osun House of Assembly under the leadership of Right Honourable Dr Najeem Folasayo Salam for not putting the State under the stress Nigeria is passing through under the 8th Assembly? Do you know that the 5th and 6th Assemblies under Rt Hon. Najeem Salam were able to pass 66 bills and 56 resolutions? Do you know that at least two of the bills were replicated at the national level? Do you know one of them is the O-YES Laws replicated for N-Power programme at the national level and the O Meal Feeding Laws of the State, replicated at the Federal level as School Feeding Scheme? Do you know that the House of Assembly of Osun had never been in the news for any negative reason…no motion for impeachment, suspension or tumult? Are you aware that the House achieved the Staff Autonomy which became more efficient through the State House of Assembly Commission? Do you know that the House was able to install digital equipment in the Chamber, approved a facelift of the Assembly Complex; including the construction of the Assembly Chapel; Assembly Mosque and the Assembly Electronic Library which facilitates Honourable Members’ access to quality information resources on legislative procedures and democratic governance? Are you aware that the members of the 5th and 6th House of Assembly in Osun are going away without collecting any official vehicles in order to cut the cost of governance? The mace was never broken nor stolen.This is the self-flying car Nigeria deserves. The words of Asiwaju Bola Tinibu, the dynamic leader of APC cuts in again: “After four years of their antics halting the progress of government, we should do all we can to prevent a repeat of their malign control of the National Assembly”.
As we celebrate Rt Hon. Dr Najeem Salam and his team for this feat, we must equally celebrate the members of the 8th National Assembly with a generous gift. Our generous gift is to enjoin all of them to watch Laolu Ogunniyi’s TV soap opera titled ‘ In Need”. They are urged to listen to the exiting prayer of all the casts in the Play, chorusing: “May We Never See It Again”. Happy viewing, please.
