By Perpetua Onuegbu
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has
criticised the recent removal of Sen. Ali Ndume as the Senate’s Chief Whip, accusing it of undermining democratic representation.
Mr Auwal Musa (Rafsanjani) Executive Director,
CISLAC, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
According to him, this demonstrates a trend of silencing senators and preventing them from voicing the concerns of the Nigerian people whom they are elected to serve, likening
it to autocracy.
“The senates actions undermine the constitutional role of its members as
representatives of the people at the highest levels of government.
“By restricting senators from expressing
national concerns, the senate risks eroding its mandate and weakening the
legislature as an independent arm of government.”
Musa said with Ndume’s role in the formation of the current senate leadership and his contributions to governance, his removal reflected sycophancy and undermined the senate’s credibility as an independent body.
“The senate leadership’s alignment with executive anti-people policies and self-serving interests raises concerns about its autonomy,” the non government organisation added.
“It portrays the senate as a mere extension
of the executive, contradicting its role as a check on government excesses.”
He frowned at the character and integrity of the senate’s current leadership, suggesting that their controversial backgrounds undermine democratic principles and threaten free speech and democratic consolidation.
“They have silenced, intimidated, and harassed opposition senators, forcing
them to keep quiet. This is not democratic, and it’s not acceptable.
“There must be room for opposition in the senate. Democracy only flourishes where a thriving opposition exists. The opposition parties have been silenced, and this should not be tolerated.
“The senators are there to represent the people. If the people are not happy with the way the country is run, then there’s a crisis. Nigerians need to have a vibrant Senate that speaks for its people.
“The legislators are being forced to keep quiet while Nigerians are bleeding, hungry, and dying. Meanwhile, they are just sitting and collecting bogus salaries. They are supposed to be doing serious work,” he said.
The executive director of CISLAC added that the senate had various parties—APC, PDP, LP, and APGA—and they were all quiet when they were supposed to hold the central government accountable.
“You should not just keep quiet when the country is in hard times, and this is not acceptable.
“In silencing dissent and marginalising outspoken senators like Ndume and Abdul Ningi, the senate risks rendering itself irrelevant.
“Rather than penalising Sen. Ndume for advocating on behalf of Nigerians, his
contributions should be acknowledged and respected,” Musa said.
The boss of CISLAC also expressed concern that opposition political parties in the senate
have been ambushed and silenced, allowing anti-people agendas and continued non-transparent and unaccountable governance in Nigeria.(NAN)