By Isaac Asabor
In any democracy, the legislative arm of government is often regarded as the bedrock of representation, lawmaking, and oversight. Whether at the federal or state level, the legislative chambers are meant to be hallowed halls where decorum, discipline, and statesmanship should take precedence over bickering, personal vendettas, and political grandstanding. Sadly, recent developments in Nigeria’s National Assembly (NASS) and the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) have painted a different picture, one of unnecessary rancor and needless showmanship that threatens to erode public confidence in our legislative institutions.
The recent exchange of words between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan brought to the fore the kind of pettiness that should have no place in Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber. Similarly, the infighting and outright bullying witnessed in the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA), particularly the reported attempts to silence dissenting voices within the assembly, raise fundamental concerns about the character and quality of those entrusted with the task of making laws for the country.
To start with, there is no denying the fact that the Akpabio-Natasha Faceoff is nothing but a display of pettiness in the Red Chamber
The foregoing view cannot be farfetched as the Nigerian Senate, like its counterparts in other democratic nations, should be a dignified chamber where national discourse is conducted with maturity, respect, and a focus on the greater good. However, the recent spat between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was anything but that.
What began as a disagreement over parliamentary procedures quickly degenerated into an exchange of snide remarks and a show of political muscle. Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, is no stranger to political maneuvering, but his approach to leadership in the Senate is increasingly being questioned. His interactions with fellow lawmakers, particularly those in the opposition, have been marred by subtle attempts to silence dissenting voices. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a senator known for her vocal advocacy, has been at the receiving end of this subtle silencing strategy.
Instead of engaging in productive discourse, the altercation between the two lawmakers played out like a scene from a poorly scripted drama, drawing public attention away from pressing legislative issues. When legislative leaders resort to petty squabbles rather than engaging in serious debate about policies that affect millions of Nigerians, the credibility of the institution is called into question. It sends the wrong signal that our lawmakers are more concerned about their personal egos than the well-being of those they were elected to represent.
This episode is not an isolated incident, as similar cases of ego clashes have plagued Nigeria’s National Assembly in the past. The role of the Senate should be to set a standard for constructive debates and rational decision-making rather than being a platform for personal clashes. Without a culture of mutual respect, the Senate risks alienating the very citizens it is meant to serve.
In a similar vein, the crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) can best be described as a divided house.
While the Senate’s troubles are glaring, the situation in the Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) is even more troubling. A legislative house should be a place of debate, independent thought, and lawmaking in the best interests of the people. However, in Lagos, the atmosphere has become toxic, with lawmakers engaging in power struggles and witch-hunts that threaten the very foundation of the institution.
Reports of lawmakers facing persecution for merely expressing dissenting views against the Speaker’s position underscore the growing intolerance within LAHA. The assembly, which should be a bastion of democracy, is gradually being turned into a rubber stamp for the executive or a battlefield for personal supremacy.
One of the most concerning aspects of the LAHA crisis is the level of intimidation and suppression meted out to lawmakers who dare to challenge the status quo. This approach stifles democratic engagement and reduces the legislative house to an echo chamber where only a few voices are heard, and decisions are made to favor personal interests rather than the electorate. If a state like Lagos, often considered Nigeria’s most politically advanced state, cannot maintain decorum in its legislature, what hope is there for other states?
This crisis highlights the urgent need for political maturity among lawmakers. Democracy thrives on the contest of ideas, and any attempt to stifle alternative viewpoints weakens the system. A legislative chamber where dissent is crushed can only lead to poor governance and lack of accountability.
Without a doubt, there is the need for legislative decorum and statesmanship in both parliaments. This is as parliaments, whether at the national or state level, must be guided by the principles of decorum, maturity, and a strong sense of responsibility. Lawmakers must remember that they are not in office to settle personal scores but to serve the people who elected them.
A lack of decorum in legislative houses has far-reaching consequences. First, it erodes public trust. Nigerians are already skeptical about the sincerity of their leaders, and incidents of lawmaker bickering only deepen this distrust. Second, legislative inefficiency becomes the order of the day, as valuable time that should be spent deliberating policies is wasted on trivialities. Lastly, a disorderly legislative environment can create room for executive overreach, thereby undermining the principle of separation of powers.
In fact, if Nigeria’s legislative institutions are to be truly hallowed chambers of democracy, there must be enforceable ethical guidelines that govern the conduct of lawmakers, ensuring that debates and engagements remain civil and focused on governance.
In a similar vein, presiding officers, such as the Senate President and Speakers of state assemblies, must demonstrate the highest level of decorum and impartiality. When leaders engage in pettiness, they set a precedent for disorderliness.
Also in a similar vein, every lawmaker, regardless of political affiliation, must be allowed to express their views without fear of intimidation or suppression. A true democracy thrives on diverse opinions and robust debates.
Again, lawmakers must constantly remind themselves that they hold their positions in trust for the electorate. Engaging in personal squabbles while the country faces serious challenges is an insult to the people who voted them into office.
Not only that, many lawmakers come into office without a clear understanding of legislative ethics and the importance of decorum. Regular training sessions and capacity-building programs can help reinforce these values.
In fact, citizens must also hold their representatives accountable. Civil society organizations, the media, and voters must ensure that lawmakers prioritize governance over political showmanship.
Given the foregoing backdrop, it is not a misnomer to opine that from the chambers of the National Assembly to state houses of assembly like LAHA, there is an urgent need for decorum, discipline, and a renewed sense of purpose. Nigerian lawmakers must resist the urge to turn legislative houses into battlegrounds for personal supremacy. The electorate deserves better, leaders who are focused, disciplined, and committed to the progress of the country rather than the pettiness that currently defines many of our legislative interactions.
A legislative house should be a temple of democracy, not a theater of absurdity. If Nigeria’s lawmakers truly care about the country’s development, they must rise above childish bickering and embrace the responsibility that comes with their positions. The nation is watching, and history will not be kind to those who reduce governance to mere theatrics.
