At the inauguration on June 11, 2019, Speaker of the 9th assembly of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila promised Nigerians a lot, especially on reforms, which he said would be coming in piece mill at the lower chamber of the National Assembly. JOSHUA EGBODO writes.
Take off steps
The Lagos lawmaker, representing Surulere 1 federal constituency of the state, for a fourth term in a row, presided over the first plenary of the house on June 13 after inauguration. Gbajabiamila in his inaugural speech pledged to Nigerians what his stewardship would deliver. During the speech he also announced the appointment of his Chief of Staff.
On the same date, after a marathon closed door session and adjournment of plenary of the house for a fortnight, journalists were informed that the new speaker has constituted three important Ad hoc committees, with the intent to ensure a smooth a takeoff. The panels were on media, welfare and rules and business.
The ad hoc media committee, headed by Hon Khadijah Buka-Ibrahim explained that the speaker at the closed door session called for a united house, irrespective of members’ political party affiliations. “It has been agreed that all campaign platforms will be shut down, and a new platform which will have all members added, will be created on WhatsApp.
“Today, we stand united. We believe in one Nigeria, and on one Nigeria we stand. We are ready to effectively work with the executive, for the progress of the country. We are willing and ready”‘, she stated on the outcome of the closed door session.
Planned visit to selected constituencies
The ad hoc media committee also disclosed that Speaker Gbajabiamila was set to visit some of his colleagues’ constituency offices “to know what is happening there”. This is considered a novel idea, though.
The greater tasks ahead
Beyond the raising of the ad hoc panels, which are currently undertaking the task of ensuring the smooth resumption of the house on July 2, 2019, followers of issues in the house were of the opinion that there are more challenging task waiting for the new speaker.
Committees
After emergence of the speaker and the deputy, the other principal officers’ positions, which are usually political parties’ affiliated, are in normal practice determined by the respective caucuses and the parties. This, therefore, may not be of any headache to the new speaker.
What may be a Herculaneum task, however, would be the constitution and selection of heads of committees. The out gone assembly had over 90 committees, from the about 80 that existed during the preceding house. The increase was seen by many as an attempt at creating more platforms to accommodate and reward supporters.
In doing so, some existing committees of the house were balkanized. For instance, agriculture, health, education, and marine transport, were some of those affected.
It is unclear at the moment, on which direction the new speaker would head. But crises, if any, would usually start with inability of such a leader to keep to promises in the build up to his or her election. There are those who may have dumped their ambitions, and others who switch camps for the expected rewards.
Between the executive and members’ interests
Another challenge before the speaker may be on how to play the balancing role between the interest of the executive arm of the federal government, and those of his colleagues in the house. The executive, specifically President Muhammadu Buhari, had openly blamed some of his inability to implement some of his intended policies, and or programmes on the strained relationship with the leaders of the 8th National Assembly.
His emergence as speaker on June 11, was seen as a project fully backed by the presidency, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and so expectedly, the speaker may be doing a lot of its biddings, which may pitch him against members’ especially of the opposition stock.
Promised reforms
The speaker on assumption of office has promised a lot of reforms in the House as an institution. “This going to be a House of reforms, we will be dishing out those reforms in piece-mill. It will not be business as usual
“There comes a time in the life and history of a people when they interrogate the past and present, review past sacrifices, miscalculations and errors and collectively decide to opt for change, peace and progress. We are at such a moment in this country. Honourable colleagues of the 9th Assembly this is our time, this is our moment, and history beckons.
“The 9th assembly under my leadership is going to be a house of reforms or if you like a reform assembly. The reforms will be dished out piecemeal and at intervals so as not to shock the system. Moving forward therefore, my dear colleagues, it will not be business as usual and we will be shaking the table just a little. We will be introducing various reforms that will reposition this institution but please rest assured that they will be for the greater good.
“On our shoulders lies the responsibility of working together as a house to safeguard the future of our great country. The house must be reformed before the country can be reformed. We simply cannot and must not fail”, Gbajabiamila stated in his inaugural speech
Use of office to benefit Nigerians
The new speaker has also been reported to have further pledged the use of his office to benefit Nigerians. “I am going to use my office to the benefit of all Nigerians. It is going to be four years of hard work, commitment to the rule of law, four years of dedication to the people of Nigeria.
“There were a lot of problems in Nigeria and it takes visionary leadership to address these problems. I will use my legislative experience of about 30 years to do the right things for Nigerians”, he was quoted by an agency report during a recent public function in Lagos.
Lofty as these promises have appeared, it is however, in the opinion of many Nigerians that while reforms are integral part of the human society, pushing them through remains a daunting task.
Though the speaker has repeatedly hammered on his campaign slogan of “A Joint Task”, but would he enjoy the support of majority of his colleagues in delivering these promises’ as he settle down to business? Only time will tell.
