A typical day at the National Assembly begins with a flurry of activities, particularly on Tuesdays when “outsiders” troop to the premises for a visit. Their visit which starts around 9 am, is mostly not to strike any legislative deal but for other reasons such as seeking for “contracts” and perhaps “domestic needs”. In most cases, they also seek the help of the distinguished and honourable members for “letters of introduction” to various ministries, agencies and departments for career assistance. They know that such letters are better recognized by Executive Secretaries and Director-Generals although employments are often done through the “backdoor” or “smuggled” to the lucky recipients. The ones who “front” for the men of the Green and Red Chambers do not necessarily “appear” at the National Assembly as others, for the simple fact that they are regarded as “big boys” because of the influence they wield having tested “fat” contracts trusted on them by their shadowy bosses who never admit that they indulge in such things. From 10 am you will begin to notice long stretches of limos navigating their way to the “white house” to offload their VIP’s. It is not difficult to know a “distinguished” senator; they are decked in resplendent well-starched outfits, oozing perfume with colourful caps and expensive shoes to match. The same applies to the honourable members who arrive in “powerful machines” and dressed in similar attire. They walk hurriedly to their offices with mobile policemen in tow clutching bundles of files which—if you check closely– has nothing to do with the general interest of Nigerians; and then, the business of the day would begin—first with the numerous visitors at the waiting room. With air conditioners blowing coolly, pockets filled with cash and bigger contracts waiting, for instance, “constituency projects”, it remains doubtful if they would have enough time to think about the gruesome spectacle playing out there in the “hot” outside world. Do they have any pity for the millions of Nigerians trapped out there by the stifling tensions, cruelty, hatred and other terrible self-inflicted vices? Gory scenes from man’s inhumanity to man? Aren’t they moved by the mindless killings of innocent Nigerians? The maiming, the rape, the insecurity? The harvest of poverty ravaging the land and the looming famine? Do they read newspapers or are they immune from these sudden turn of events? Now let’s take the example of a recent video which assaulted our sensibilities said to have emanated from somewhere in Niger State (not proven though). The video showed several men in dirty military uniform armed with AK 47 rifles flogging a naked woman with inexcusable brutality; they forcibly pushed her to the road where they criminally shot her dead! I do not know what may have transpired or inspired such horrible treatment to a human being regardless of her tribe or sin; what I do know is that the action is irreversibly atrocious, condemnable and wicked. The woman was helpless, stripped naked; it is possible she secretly yearned for help, but it never came; at the end, she was painfully dispatched to the world beyond. Those men in the video were no less demented—and barbaric. They will be punished by the immutable laws of nature. They can never escape recrimination. It is assured that hellish treatment awaits them even while alive. You cannot visit such brutality on a living soul and expect mercy. It is a foregone conclusion that natural justice would prevail. Meanwhile, far away from the grisly scene of this ungodly crime, in Abuja, the seat of the Federal Capital, the men of the hallowed chambers are yet to whimper a word—not even the representative from that nauseating area mentioning it as with other inhuman killings, wholesale massacre and desecration of humanity suggesting something like an unannounced pogrom. This tremendous waste of human resources, on self-reflection, ought to make us remorseful; but that is not the case probably because we do not see the systematic destruction as a priority. And that is the reason for this article—to examine why it is so and we completely distracted from taking necessary action. When gruesome spectacles like this occur regularly, it is a fallacy to imagine that it is not your business because you are not directly affected. But any reasonable arbiter would know instantly that something terrible is amiss—and needed urgent attention. Nigeria was not so before and cannot remain so. Therefore, besides the glamour and luxury of the hallowed chambers lies a heavy responsibility. If nothing else, this should be a litmus test for the National Assembly hierarchy to prove their sincerity to the people they claim to represent. Let no one misconstrue the incessant killings as a supremacy war going on; it is not; Nigeria has not yet descended to such bestiality. Without bias, the function of the National Assembly includes formulating and passing laws, establishing governments budgets, confirming executive appointments, playing a central role in policymaking process by holding government accountable and scrutinizing their decisions; their oversight functions, in particular, helps to regulate economic growth and create national environments; thus, in summary, they play legislative, financial and inquiry role for the state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. With awesome powers like this, it is therefore unacceptable for the deafening silence confronting the wrongs in the society. We cannot have the National Assembly and yet witness rapid deterioration in morals and ethical values. This is a complete paradigm shift from what used to be “our brother’s keeper”; now, the peaceful coexistence that we grew up to know appears to have vanished; the slightest provocation is enough to decapitate a man, his family or even a whole community! What’s going on in Nigeria? The National Human Rights Commission is quiet; so also the National Ethics and Moral Committee; governments statements no longer bring assurances—they are treated with suspicion and disdain; they are viewed with contempt and cynicism; if you ask, the response would be damning, affirming the fears that pervade the land. Never before has insecurity become so pronounced with sudden death rampant! Now is the time to demand accountability from our elected members; they must sit in their hallowed chambers and debate how to quench the rabid hatred sweeping the land; they must find a solution to why militias would so callously gun down a woman—their own blood; without resorting mellifluous lines, there is tension in the land; Nigeria must not be allowed to drift further into precipice; whether politics or otherwise, they must reflect and find ways to come up with stringent laws and protect innocent citizens. Our people who live in the remote villages and hinterland must feel secure; they should have the feeling that the government is capable of protecting them: that they are safe wherever they are. In 1996, armed robbers invaded my compound in Ogba, Ikeja Local government of Nigeria. It was 3 am and obviously, at that time Ogba was underdeveloped. But we felt a huge relief when suddenly policemen showed up and dispersed the criminals. If our armed forces had displayed the same patriotism in the case of that woman, she would have been rescued. Life, once lost can never be recovered! This is 2020—not 1996. We have to show we are making progress and the place to start from is the National Assembly. They have to rise up to the occasion; they have to sit up and show commitment; this, not the time to drive luxury automobiles or wear expensive apparels; this is the time to put on sackcloth and rub ashes on their faces; they must take steps to strengthen government Institutions; they must [promote laws to discourage arms build-up; they must emphasize tolerance and preach peaceful coexistence—the right to exit must be guaranteed; they must encourage sustainable growth in the society and frustrate desperate attempts to gain power—as was the case in Edo State. They must promote community rapprochement and put in place structures for free, fair and peaceful elections. Social values and the sanctity of human life must be enforced. Above all, they must show that no one can just wake up and extinguish human life! Our capacity to live peacefully must be brought to the fore; the communities must be protected and reinforced. The police should be revitalized and funded to effectively function. They should redefine their priorities away from fruitless probes, purchase of cars, contracts, oversight visits to ministries, department and agencies and concentrate on reinstating our moral values, the sanctity of human life and prosperity. That’s how they would justify the bogus amount spent on them for representing us. This is the time to be remorseful, to halt the spread of hatred, tension and fears enveloping the land. I hope we have made sense here. This perhaps would justify the resplendent “agbada” “Gucci shoes” and “Aramis perfume” they wear to the National Assembly! For the woman in that video, I say: rest in peace; your soul has not gone in vain.
