The 10th National assembly is the most diverse legislature in Nigeria’s democratic history, but before the inauguration of this parliament, there were some upheavals that almost threatened the harmony of this arm of government.
The inauguration of the 10th Senate on the 13th of June 2023 was laced with the usual political drama and intrigues that opens new legislative dispensations at the National Assembly.
The keenly contested leadership elections in both chambers was viewed by many as a bright signal that Nigeria is a thriving democracy.
Battles for the presiding officers of the National Assembly assumed a different twist when the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress zoned the positions to some geo-political zones and also micro-zoned it to some states and individuals.
Senator Akpabio and Senator Barau Jibrin were endorsed by the leadership of the APC to contest the highly coveted seats in the 10th Senate and were considered to be the preferred candidates of the president.
The development further intensified rivalry among members of the same party and also caused the opposition parties to begin to plan towards staging an upset by giving bloc votes to their own preferred candidates.
On the flip side of the National Assembly is the House of Representatives, but all the drama seemed to simmer down before the showdown of selections who will be speaker.
It was a smooth sail for Tajudeen Abbas and Benjamin Kalu as the APC appeared to have succeeded in breaking the ranks of the opposition and other likely contenders.
It was a three horse race in the green chambers and the lower federal legislative house adopted an open ballot system where members openly declared their votes.
When the 10th senate was finally constituted, a motion was raised at plenary, and it proposed an amendment to the standing orders of the Senate “to clearly state that a Senator vying for the office of the President of the Senate or Deputy President of the Senate must have served at least one term in the Senate as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The motion passed and now effectively excludes first timers at the Senate from vying for the posts of presiding officers and clarifies the argument on the eligibility of an intending candidate.
The Senate acknowledged that it is a necessary amendment that will ensure stability in the upper and lower legislative chamber and prioritize ranking experience in its leadership selection.
With the political storm now behind them , the focus for the lawmakers is now to deliver good governance to the people irrespective of their differences
The lower legislative chamber has already unveiled its legislative agenda with the major focus being legislative reforms and strengthening the bond between the Executive and the Legislature
As for the Senate , plans are already underway to unveil its legislative agenda in the first month of the new year .
Already the upper chamber had identified security and economic development as its focal points.
The Sweet romance that appears to be blossoming between the executive and the Legislature May linger for a long time as the lawmakers say they are always ready to corporate as long as it serves the interests of their people.
This seeming gesture by the two arms of government had sparked various reactions among social commentators as well as critics who likened the legislature to a rubber stamp , but the 10th Senate says it will wear this as a badge of honour .
It may interest Nigerians to know that the 10th Assembly is an amalgamation of intellectuals, technocrats, and experienced private and public sector experts with a driving force that resonates with the desire to make Nigeria work.
