Personal emotions over national interest – Frank Ofili

Senate investigates Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello for alleged double voter registration.

Well, well, this is certainly the first of its kind, and I wonder where the august body got its power to investigate a sitting governor.

We are in March and the National Assembly has not considered the 2018 Budget presented to it since November last year.

Several nominees for appointment into boards of Governments parastatals, departments and agencies are also awaiting attention of the Senate.

Two Bills to strengthen and institutionalize the anti-corruption war have been lying with the Senate since 2015 without even a mention.

All these important assignments don’t deserve the attention of our (un)distinguished Senators, but they have time to investigate whether or not there is a case of double voter registration involving Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello.

Not speaking for Governor Bello, but I don’t know where and when our senators got the power to investigate whether or not a law of the land has been violated. Since when did law makers become law enforcers?

It is not difficult for the discerning to see the unseen hands of Senator Dino Melaye in the Governor Bello investigation. Both of course are arch political enemies.

But the Senate may have shot itself on the foot. If the august body now feels it has power to assume the executive power of investigating alleged crime, then perhaps it ought to start with one of its own – Senator Dino Melaye himself – who has been charged with false information. He who comes to equity must do so with clean hands, except of course this is not about equity but about petty politics.

It is sad seeing how personal emotions have been allowed to take precedence over national interest in the National Assembly. It is not too ago that Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (APC, Borno) was suspended from plenary. What was his offense? He dared to ask that an allegation against the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, be referred to the Ethics committee for investigation.

Before Ndume,  Hon Abdulmumin Jubril (APC, Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State was similarly suspended from the House of Reps for levelling allegation of corruption against the House leadership

In the National Assembly of today, impunity reigns supreme. Freedom of expression of members is anything but free, except of course, for those who kowtow to the wishes of the Assembly leadership. Any expression of views contrary to the position of the leadership is visited with severe consequences.

The august body has equally abused legislative summons and investigations to no end, even in areas falling outside its purview. It just doesn’t seem to know its limits. Like the case of Governor Yahaya Bello.

Governor Bello should go to court to challenge his investigation by the Senate. His case is certainly the first and judicial pronouncement is necessary to put the law makers in their place.