Edo State Assembly: A House Without Legislative Honour -By Paul E. Michael

The good people of Edo State were busy with their businesses on May 3, 2016 when the news came that the “wrestlers”, who have no single regard for morality, have started with their usual disturbance. Though it was not strange, the news however increased the tension already being generated across the State due to the scheduled September 2016 governorship election. It is worrisome to see those wearing legislative garments degenerate as low as common street “touts”, fighting rigorously to defend ego, self-centeredness and clandestine plots, without a trace of benefit to those they represent. I do not understand why the Edo State legislators always strip themselves naked of honour, except for sinister reasons centered on selfishness and manipulation. How these “fighters” found their ways into the supposed honourable Edo State legislative chamber is the mystery yet to be unfolded, as honourable men cannot dance shamelessly in public the way these guys have done. Perhaps, we shall begin to consider the guys with the best combative abilities as subsequent Representatives, since mental prowess and intellectual capacity no longer have a place in our Assembly.

While there were unwarranted clashes between APC and PDP lawmakers in the last dispensation, the May 3, 2016 commotion in the Edo State House of Assembly, can be referred to as an in-house conflict within the APC, a party that has banked on the now questionable ideology of “Change”. The lawmakers, who refused enacting laws to check mate their unruly behaviours, seem to be divided over the choice of who becomes the APC flag bearer for the September 10, 2016, governorship election. In a bid to take control of the legislative arm of government in the State, one camp – allegedly supporting the Comrade Governor, Adams Oshiomhole’s preferred candidate for the governorship election, Mr. Godwin Obaseki – was alleged to have impeached the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Tiger Victor Edoror and his Deputy, Hon. Bright Osayande – who are allegedly supporting the governorship ambition of Sir Pius Odubu, the current Deputy Governor of the State – “for incompetence and gross misconduct”. A new Speaker and Deputy, Hon. Elizabeth Ative and Hon. Justin Okonobo, are said to have been installed respectively.

This politically motivated action brought unwarranted commotion into the legislative chamber as there was a dramatic display of anger between both camps. The impeached Speaker, Victor Edoror, was reported to have pushed Elizabeth Ative, the new Speaker, from the Speaker’s seat and took possession of it; however, Ative in turn attempted to drag Edoror from the seat, even as aides were jumping from the overflow segment of the legislative complex to support their masters. This dramatic legislative disgrace was only a tip of the iceberg of the misconduct that ensued in the Assembly complex. As we speak, there is the presence of heavy armed security personnel within and around the Edo State Assembly complex, which has always been the case.

Honestly, the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, needs to quickly address the disorderly conduct of the legislators before such occurrence becomes a regular one. On a more serious note, the police ought to have arrested the lawmakers by now, as they are not above the laws they make. If the situation is not contained in this early hour, the security of the entire Edo State may again be jeopardised, as was the case in 2015, during the clash between APC and PDP lawmakers, where the entire police officers in the State were redeployed to the legislative complex and environs at “ring road”, as well as the legislative quarters at Ihama, GRA, following the degeneration of the clash, thereby making the entire Edo State vulnerable to security threats. We cannot afford to continue that way.

Interestingly, these uncultured self-seeking legislators have not in anyway attempted to fight for constituents, whose interest they ought to be representing. There is also no record of enacted laws for the collective interest of the Edo people, except one suspension here and there. However, they can be crazy over egocentric pursuits that involve demonstration of anger like street fighters and motor park touts. What a disgrace! Who has so bewitched us that we cannot boast of selfless leaders with high senses of morality and integrity? Is it not absolutely unnecessary for leaders to be engaged in combat and involved in rascality simply to satisfy their personal lusts and pride? When shall we have leaders who will put down the coats of selfishness, incompetence, and immorality, to truly pursue the cause of the people, or is there anything wrong with fighting a just cause? The lawmakers need to be immediately called to order, by whatever authority they regard before they bring total disrepute to Edo State, the only heartbeat of Nigeria.

As one pained by the undeserved recklessness dished to the people in the name of legislative work and representation, I believe the action carried out by the Edo lawmakers was totally uncalled for and should be harshly discouraged before such conduct is made a norm in the legislative house. There are laws regulating the affairs and conducts of legislators within the chamber, but if such laws have been abortive and proven ineffective, then new ones should be enacted as a matter of urgency. Lawmaking ought to be a very honourable and noble assignment, which we cannot afford to jeopardise for whatsoever reason. Besides, if those who are constitutionally empowered to make laws for the regulation of public behaviour and to also watch closely the conduct of the Executive themselves turn into rascals and “street fighters”, what becomes the fate of the common man on the street?

Conclusively, I must state that those legislators involved in the fracas have lost the moral standing to sanction their kids whenever they go wrong because they have not outgrown childishness as adults. The act displayed by them is grossly unpatriotic and selfish. To me, the legislators should be schooled in the nitty gritty of legislative business. The legislative arm is the only arm of government that separates dictatorship from democracy, as such those who are elected into these revered offices should understand the weight and importance of the office they occupy. Their primary responsibility is to enact law for public order, so as to promote a safe, developed and enabling environment, where business can thrive. This is for the overall interest of all, legislators inclusive. Lawmakers ought to be the most selfless leaders in our society, as selfishness can render the entire functions of the legislature useless. Those involved should know this before a wrong precedence is illegally instituted in the Edo State House of Assembly.

Paul E. Michael, a criminologist and civil activist, writes from Benin City, Edo State and can be reached through paulebi4eva@gmail.com