Buhari’s silence and senate’s tantrums

Sometimes, the most painful response in a fight is to say nothing and do nothing. And that’s what’s happening with the ongoing tussle between the Senate and the Presidency. While the lawmakers are

throwing darts, the executive turns a blind eye.

In the long run, the chicken came home to roost as the lawmakers’ strategy paid off, forcing the executives to come to the negotiation table.

Last week, the drama between the two arms of government continued unabated with the Senate inviting more presidential appointees who

refused to appear before it. The way things are going, there is a possibility that the Senate may just decide to invite us all one day (pun intended). Penultimate week, I indicated that the face-off between the two arms of government was slowing down the activities of government and may be weighing down an already weary President.

Well, like other weeks, the President’s third week went through with mostly one event per day. First was a continuation of the security briefing from security chiefs, then the Federal Executive Council

meeting on Wednesday, then he received an outgoing ambassador and a briefing from the minister of transportation on Thursday and a

briefing from the hajj commission on Friday.

I must actually add that on Wednesday, at the pre-federal executive council formalities, the President looked stronger and I agree that taking it easy is actually doing him and not the country some good.

So, just incase you were thinking the President is going to pack and return to the United Kingdom anytime soon, you may be wrong.

Inside sources confirmed he has had his first review already. Within the week the media space came alive with speculations that the President was flying down his doctors from London to carryout checks

on him while others argued that he was prepping for another trip to the UK. Well, I gathered that the doctors already snuck in and left before we realised it.

They definitely beat us to it this time. Recall the President had on his return to the country on the 10th of March hinted that he would need to have a follow-up review done.

Going back to the issue of the senate and presidency, the fight for supremacy between the two arms of government is crippling the running of the state. Members of the upper legislative chambers are not

smiling, they feel the president is not responding to their whims and caprices and are doing all possible to bring him to the negotiating table. Maybe they got it.

Last week, the upper chamber of the National Assembly stepped down the confirmation of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioners over what it described as President Buhari’s refusal to sack the rejected Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.

Apparently, the Senate still feels slighted that the President who is taking things easy and paying more attention to his health has refused to respond to their calls for Magu’s sack after they rejected him a

second time. At first, the president’s media aides said the presidency will make known its stance when the Senate officially communicates their decision to the president. They had finally confirmed receipt of

the letter from the Senate and till date, no one wants to comment on the matter.

The president is still silent in spite of all the tantrums thrown by the Senate. This is even as Aso Rock officials say so far there is still no direction on the President’s next move on Magu, the

Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali and the Secretary to the Government (SGF) Babachir Lawal. Remember the Senate’s row with the

Ali over his refusal to appear before them in uniform and the refusal of Lawal to appear for a public hearing over the grass cutting scandal. Just before I pass on this, Magu isn’t going anywhere or what

do you think? They must find another way to sort out their differences.

Then was the issue between the Senate and yet another of the president’s appointee, the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Itse Sagay, over remarks describing the

Senate as ‘childish and irresponsible’ and ‘filled by people of questionable character’ while reacting to their refuel to confirm the 27 RECs. They had directed the Senate Committee on Ethics and

Privileges to investigate his remarks. Interesting. Sagay in turn, went on air again spitting fire, boasting he was not in the category of those the Senate could summon.

The situation I can say has become embarrassing, the Senate dishing out summons to anyone and on the other hand the president’s men refusing to put a rein on their emotions and keep from inciting utterances that will further pitch the legislature against the executive. Does anyone care about the underlying securities between the two? I think not. The problem is while they argue and fling mud on each other, the budget is still hanging, I am sure there are bills waiting to be passed that will benefit the populace before they runoff again for another recess.

So I think they must have to deal with their differences. Thankfully, at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, a committee chaired by the Vice President with members including those who were former members of the upper and lower chambers, those who have personal relationships with some of the legislative and the Presidential liaison (senate),

Ita Enang, was constituted. In the days ahead we hope the committee will be able to find a centre ground for the two warring parties and save Nigerians some precious time.

 

Elizabeth Archibong