CISLAC ADVISES THE SENATE TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE IN THE CHAMBER THAT WOULD BE PEOPLE ORIENTED 22-07-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, has advised the Senate to create an atmosphere in the chamber that would be people oriented and demonstrate democratic representation within the legislative body.
A statement signed by its Executive Director, Auwal Rafsanjani says it became necessary to build the trust of the people on the nation’s elected leaders and condemns the removal of Senator Ali Ndume from his position as the Chief Whip.
Rafsanjani also states that it demonstrates a trend of silencing senators and preventing them from voicing the concerns of citizens whom they are elected to serve.
He emphasizes the critical role of senators in representing the people, particularly in times of national crisis.
“The senators are there to represent the people to serve as a voice to people on the way the country should be run, Nigerians need to have a vibrant Senate that speaks for its people.
The legislators are being forced to keep quiet while Nigerians are bleeding, hungry, and dying. Therefore the need to brace up to their role that requires them to connect with the people, speak with the people, and voice their demands as well as checkmate the excesses of the other arms of government irrespective of party loyalty.”
While highlighting Ndume’s significant contributions to the Senate and governance, CISLAC states that the senator’s removal is a breach of Senate rules or the constitution and reflects sycophancy as well as damages the Senate’s credibility as an independent entity.
“The organization criticized the Senate leadership’s alignment with executive policies that are perceived as anti-people and self-serving, suggesting that this alignment threatens the Senate’s autonomy.”
CISLAC therefore advise the legislature to always resolve their differences to bolster the confidence of Nigerians on accountability of leaders in Nigeria.