February 03, 2004

Senators for Hire

Last Tuesday, the second bribery scandal rocking the upper legislative chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly was again brought to the front burner in public discourse.  Senator Arthur Nzeribe made spirited efforts to refute the allegation that he was hired to serve as a conduit to enlist senators’ support to declare an emergency rule in Anambra State, for a fee of N500,000 each.  He nonetheless conceded that he will support a declaration of a state of emergency in the State as he views same as the only solution to the raging Anambra crisis.

While making the allegation, Senator Uche Chukwumerije had also indicted the entire Senate; as none could deny his assertion that Senator Nzeribe had already approached most senators for their support.  The Senate nevertheless resolved to leave the matter between Senators Chukwumerije and Nzeribe.

This shocking revelation and the handling of the issue by the Senate is again most disappointing.  Nigerians had expected that the Senate would have used this opportunity to clean up itself and indeed live up to the expectations of the people as a harbinger of democracy.  If democracy must thrive, corruption has to be reduced to the barest minimum and our institutions of leadership must lead by example.  It is not enough to pay lip service to the challenge of eliminating corruption from every sphere of our societal life: our institutions, infrastructures, values, etc.  Our anti-corruption crusade must be made all pervasive.

Indeed, it is a show of shame for our ‘distinguished’ senators to allude to being hired to undertake inglorious assignments.  The image and credibility of the Senate is already impugned, and our democracy is being mocked.  Thus, a pertinent question arising is: how much of the dividends of democracy can we realize when we condone and cover up such dastardly acts?  Enough of marking time, Nigeria needs to move forward, it needs to grow.  The opportunities for desired growth and development afforded us by democracy cannot be effectively utilized in the face of apparent lack of commitment to the principles and ideals of democracy on the part of our leaders.

CRP is of the view that the Senate has a moral and legal obligation to clean itself, the bad eggs must be flushed out and there is no other apt time than now.  The ‘protagonist’ and the ‘recipients’ must be uncovered.

Again, this development poses another challenge to the Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC). Will ICPC continue to fold its arms and refuse to investigate allegations of corruption in the polity on an absurd ground that no formal complaints has been made to it?

CRP therefore calls on the Senate to revisit the issue; narrowing it down to two senators is a disservice to the nation and a postponement of the evil day.  The senators need to show that they are indeed the representatives of the people.

Copyright© 2005 Constitutional Rights Project (CRP). All rights reserved.