Liberal MindPolitics

Mr. Speaker: Be the Change

by  Adetunji Ayobrown
There are moments in history and in each of such moments the past is always asking something of the present. When Hon. Yakubu Danladi was elected as Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, not many viewed this action as good or commendable, indeed, it was followed by apprehension and ill feelings.
But to others only time will tell. One of such is that his choice will not be the best or effective in effecting checks and balances as required from the legislature, a very important arm of governance, if our democracy must thrive. But to others, it is not only that history was made but could not have come at a better time when clamour for ‘not-too-young to run’ agitation was at its peak in our country, at Kwara state was seen to be at forefront.
How a 35 year old man rose to extra-ordinary height surprise many. Such rare emergence of a youth in such a position caught more than the attention of even the most critic when it comes to appreciation of politics. Among Nigerian conference of speakers, Danladi is about the youngest, and this made many applauded and commended his emergence. The populace, especially those who supported his coming on board or were associated with this expect proofs from his actions that his nomination was in order to those who were against his choice.
Who is afraid of opposition, you, your godfathers or your party? This is one of the questions Kwarans are expecting answers to.
Why do we have to come to this? Series of dramas was the gate of the Kwara State House of Assembly as a result of the Speaker (and other APC members)’s refusal to allow the only Peoples Democratic Party member-elect, Abdulraheem Agboola access into the state house if Assembly despite court orders were widely reported and with last Wednesday decision where Agboola had to barricaded entrance of the assembly complex, don’t speak well of the house with serious-minded leadership.
Since the court rulings, neither has Agboola been sworn in nor allowed to enter the Assembly premises, all these under the leadership of a Speaker. Court disobedience is not a good profile for anyone, talk more of a lawmaking body.
That the Speaker, Danladi, has refused to swear in Agboola after he secured victory at the Appeal Court and collected the Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC is not commendable.
Though, Mr Danladi said Agboola could not be sworn in because a case had been filed at the Federal High Court, Ilorin challenging his (Agboola) victory. But since March this year, the Federal High Court has dismissed the suit filed by the assembly and ordered that Agboola be sworn in as the duly elected member of the assembly. That is impunity and flagrant disobedience of the rule of law should not be encouraged.
Law is what you make of it, the law could be an ass or a pampering mother. The Court of Appeal since December 2019 declared Agboola the winner of the Ilorin South constituency election and nullified the emergence of Hassan Abdulazeez of the All Progressives Congress, yet the court is yet to be obeyed. In this age and time, should the constituent, Agboola or his party go back to court to seek enforcement?
Legislation is about representation which the Kwara Assembly is denying Agboola and the constituency he represents, and that is as stated earlier, court disobedience. Many are of the opinion that the party that such action shows political insecurity not to mention deliberate infused unnecessary competition into the system, which is uncalled for.
Perhaps, it is a case of what i will call a person that has ‘no fear of swimming but afraid of drowning, no fear of opposition but fear of PDP’, or how best can this be described? If your guess is as good as mine, a house of majority under your control should not find it difficult dealing with just one dissenting voice if need be.
Without much ado, the drama forced the assembly to postpone the swearing-in of All Progressives Congress member-elect, Adam Rufai to represent Patigi State Constituency in the house. Agboola said he went to the assembly on Wednesday in response to the information passed by the clerk, Hajia Jumai Kperogi that members of the Assembly should report at the House on Wednesday. Due to his inability to enter the House, Agboola blocked the main gate of the complex.
With all my experiences, I’ve never seen one greater than twenty-three, so if that is it, a single opposition in the house should never be much of problem but be to show tolerance and balanced the house composition.
For those who do not believe in the youth, they are saying one should not send a school boy into the front-line of any serious business, or politics for that matter. Many have openly opposed the choice from the onset, argued that it was expected because he acted exactly the way many of the tele-guided youth officeholders would. The action, as viewed in many quarters, especially by the anti-youth crusaders, is not unexpected because of lack of experience. For those who know and the experience elders, in the game of politics, variation always bring out our best. 23 good heads should stand taller than one in taking decisions.
I can assure you that there is no evidence to the contrary, except you want a one-way house under your leadership, one will continue to be less than 23, and it will ever be. It is better to shift your mind in order to shift your body. Although this may sound somehow within your party, but you can be the light to direct the path of other members.
Reign of power always has its own will. With or without external influence, a case like this should not be allowed to degenerated to this extent. Anyone with a name to protect will never allow such during his reign.
Legislature and judiciary autonomy bill is truly needed and its speedy signatory by the president should not further delayed. What it requires is a leap of faith; opposing views create creativity. Life is full of risk never know what is going to happen, if you don’t take chances, you would never know what you are capable of. Or perhaps the house is a little scary to deal with him; but then only cowards always look for short-cuts and the easiest way-out. Some of us feel you can do better than this.
Many feel he may be smart, seems not cut-out for such but betterment of the Nigerian type of politics he should championed. That the past is the past, we must let it go. Because if you do and that is precisely how you want it, the house will become better. Show us that you possess fantastic alternatives, and like many, I believe that is why you are chosen in the first place, please prove that right.
Several policies have been known to have tremendous power to shape the future, where do you want your family name written, just been curious to know if you are truly capable and determined to make it to success.
To the aged, the young ones have weird imaginations, but let see how they swim in a river with big fish. You can only discern this if you have ever eavesdropped on elders’ conversations.
Perhaps politics may we define it differently but what do you and your party stand to loose with just one of the 23 seats is for an opposition member of the house. No gain saying that it was the divergent views and opinions that brought in this government; remember this!
If you want someone to fall for you, you have to be you. Mr speaker, leadership is about good examples; let the minority voice be heard. Show Nigerians that you possess fantastic alternatives and you can forge ahead even with opposition.
*Ayobrown, Senior System Analyst, National Pilot Newspaper, writes via [email protected]

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