Senate Alleges Attempts To Foist Autocracy, Intimidation By Executive

NIGERIAN Senate on Tuesday alleged that the federal government’s determination to prosecute its principal officers over forgery of Senate rules were aimed at intimidating the upper legislative chamber and control it as against the principles of separation of powers provided fort in a democracy.

Senator Dino Melaye, in a motion at the plenary said the charge was inconsistent with the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja which had struck out the case on the grounds that the National Assembly is an independent arm of government and faulted another arm to interfere in its affairs unless such matter is proved to be in violation of the constitution.

“The Nigerian Senate has observed the ongoing systematic degradation and abuse of the office of the leadership of the National Assembly by the executive arm of government through intimidation and harassment.

“This Senate notes regrettably that the executive arm of government as presently constituted is still to come to terms with the constitutional tenets of separation of powers and the independence of the legislative arm of government.

“My respected colleagues, this very noble Senate observes further, notwithstanding the maturity and nationalistic commitment of the National Assembly to ensure the survival of our democracy and the enthronement of order and national development through bipartisan initiatives and support for the executive, there remains a grand design not only to distract the National Assembly but to also intimidate it into silence and enthrone a one man rule.

“My colleagues, Mr. President, this Senate notes also the lack of respect for judicial decisions and the resolutions of the National Assembly by the executive which is beginning to arrogate itself unifying powers of the federation.

“The Senate notes that the current attempt to arraign the leadership of the Senate over an internal matter of the Senate and claims spuriously a forgery that does not exist is a smokescreen for an impending attempt to overthrow the legislative arm.

“This Senate notes further that the judiciary had through several rulings in a recent case suit no AFC/ABJ/CS/646/2015 on the same issue warned the executive arm from treading on the path of criminalising or interfering in the running of the internal affairs of the Senate.

“This Senate therefore acknowledges the grave implications of this emerging trends which pose threats to the security and continued existence, unity and survival of our dear country.

“This Senate is aware that the legislature is empowered subject to provisions of the constitution to regulate its own procedures as explicitly stated in Section 60 of the Nigerian Constitution which we have all sworn to uphold.

“Mr. President, my colleagues, the Senate is disturbed that instead of applying itself to the myriad of problems confronting the nation including the escalating cost of living, upsurge in environment extremism, worsening insecurity, rising ethnic divisions, skyrocketing unemployment, declining national productivity, and a nose-diving economy into recession, the executive has continued to be hell bent on chasing rats while the federation burns”, he said.