The Nigerian’s President Bola Tinubu on July 3rd, emphasized the necessity of collaborative governance for building a strong, united Nigeria, underscoring that the task is a collective responsibility of all arms of government and segments of society.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the inaugural Legislative Open week organized by the House of Representatives, President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to working closely with both the legislative and judicial branches to foster an inclusive government. He highlighted the importance of creating a legislative framework that promotes inclusiveness and mutual respect.
The president challenged lawmakers to engage in robust oversight of government activities as part of their check-and-balance function, ensuring accountability and making necessary corrections. He urged legislators to hold town hall meetings with their constituents to gather their views and feelings about governance, noting that not every citizen can travel to Abuja.
“Focus on representative democracy, which promotes inclusivity, accountability, and good governance,” President Tinubu advised the lawmakers. “Create platforms for engagement with the Nigerian people.”
This call for increased collaboration and engagement aims to strengthen the democratic process and ensure that all citizens have a voice in the governance of the country.
Also speaking at the event, a former senator of the 9th Assembly, and incumbent governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani called on the 10th Assembly to prioritize critical legislative reforms that he believes are essential for the progress and security of Nigeria. Among the most pressing issues he highlighted were the creation of state police, revisiting the Fire Arms Act, and addressing the country’s high rates of out-of-school children and financial exclusion.
State Police for Enhanced Security
The Kaduna State governor commended the House of Representatives for its leadership in moving towards the establishment of state police. He emphasized that tackling Nigeria’s pervasive insecurity requires a collective agreement on this issue. “Sitting here, one of the most important areas we need to look into is the issue of insecurity in our country, and that can only be resolved when we collectively agree that we must create state police in Nigeria,” he stated. He assured his support for this initiative, recognizing its potential to significantly improve security across the nation.
Revisiting the Fire Arms Act
Highlighting the alarming prevalence of illegal arms, governor Uba Sani pointed to the United Nations’ estimate of over 350 million illicit arms in circulation in the West African subregion, with more than 70% of these arms located in Nigeria. He urged the 10th Assembly to amend the obsolete Fire Arms Act to align it with global best practices. “It is important to look into the Fire Arms Act because it is obsolete, it is not in line with global best practice. You need to look into that very important law so that you can amend it,” he urged.
Addressing Out-of-School Children and Financial Exclusion
The governor also brought attention to Nigeria’s status as having the highest number of out-of-school children globally, a situation that requires urgent legislative intervention. Additionally, he pointed out the unacceptable levels of financial exclusion, with about 65% of the population living below the poverty line. He stressed the importance of reducing poverty and unemployment through robust legislation.
He said, “We should not stand here to make excuses about our salaries and allowances. What we should do is to reduce the level of poverty, unemployment, and most importantly, come up with robust legislations that can address these challenges,” he concluded.
Uba Sani remarks resonate with the urgent need for the 10th Assembly to implement impactful legislative changes that address these critical issues, thereby steering Nigeria towards a more secure and prosperous future.
In his presentation, the Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, has addressed the public misconception regarding the earnings of National Assembly members.
Dogara revealed that his total allowance while serving as Speaker was ₦25 million, and his salary was ₦400,000.
The former Speaker, who led the 8th Assembly, emphasized the importance of allowing legislators to focus on their duties without excessive financial demands from constituents. He stated that misconceptions about the salaries and allowances of National Assembly members have unfairly tarnished their image, often leading to them being labeled as thieves in public forums.
“During my tenure as Speaker, my salary was ₦400,000, and my total allowance was ₦25 million. I instructed my accountant to open a separate account for the allowances, and I never once took any money from that account. Everything that came into it was used to cater to the needs of my constituents,” Dogara explained.
He recounted that his accountant frequently complained about the high demand on the account. In response, Dogara advised him to borrow money if necessary and repay it when the allowances were deposited.
Dogara concluded by urging Nigerians to understand the reality of legislators’ earnings and to provide them with the necessary support and space to perform their duties effectively, rather than perpetuating false narratives about their compensation.