By Dr. Adeola Arifayan
In the last few days, the social media have been awashed with needless and misdirected diatribes against the Ekiti State House of Assembly. The proponents were scurrilous and desperate. Their tantrums were hurled from known and unknown opposition enclaves. Some, from attention seeking social media goons against the lawmakers over their planned Canada trip.
As an Ekiti elite, I felt aghast and dazed, seeing those who should be well informed blindly throwing tantrums at the Rt Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye- led Assembly over this lofty move. Criticism is a bulwark and fortress of a virile and forward looking democratic culture. But this shouldn’t be flaunted to a derisive pedestal, by senselessly spewing lies to blight and bring down a whole arm of government.
All over the world, the legislature is an intellectual hub. It stands firmly as a scholastic arm of government. Whoever that will fit in and operate seamlessly must be intellectually savvy. That was why they debate issues and pass well informed motions and resolutions, to lubricate frictions, guide the government’s actions and rectify its missteps.
This intellectually imbued arm shouldn’t be impervious to scholastic discourse. There is no more island of knowledge anywhere. Ferreting knowledge to bolster mental horizons and exposure shouldn’t make anyone goes for the jugulars of the Ekiti lawmakers. By every context, the trip is apt and apposite in the face of common sense.
I believe that the puerile and vacuous opposition needs education to redirect their psyches to the path of sensibility. In 2012, the Speaker of the Gauteng Assembly in Johannesburg, South Africa Republic, Rt Hon. Lindiwe Michelle Maseko, led a delegation to Ekiti Assembly for robust exchange of legislative ideas.
South Africa is renowned for its stable democratic culture. For them to have sought diplomatic tie with Nigeria reinforced the fact that they have high regard for bilateral legislation. The current action of Ekiti Assembly promotes this principle, and should be commended, rather than being vilified.
I have heard many opposition and pushers of this bring them down at all cost ranting that this trip coming in the midst of economic hardship renders it insensitive . I think the assembly was conscious of this view, that was why only a select few were slated for the journey.
Let me emphasize here, no nation or state can sacrifice actions that could promote good governance and reduce poverty on the altar of economic hardship. But I quite share the plausible view that the rules can be moderated to accommodate effective cost management, prudence and accountability. And it was done in this case.
As an expert in International Diplomacy, let me deft into some salient issues inherent in this matter to correct the warped mentality of the proponents of this insalubrious action.
1. Doctrine of Self-Sponsorship
Going by the verifiable account of the Assembly, this trip is entirely self-funded by the participating members to ensure that the state doesn’t feel the heat of financial burden. Putting it in a succinct fashion, only those who can finance their journeys will attend. This demonstrates a commitment to responsible and prudent governance.
EXECUTIVE – LEGISLATURE MUTUAL RELATIONSHIP
Let me emphasize here, every Ekiti man could bear amplified testimony to the fact that Ekiti Assembly enjoys high level of financial independence under Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s leadership. It was egregiously wrong for anyone to link Governor Oyebanji to this matter that was purely a House’s affair. This independence that the people can bear witness to has rubbished the claims by rabble rousers and social media goons like Idowu Afuye and Isaac Fayose that the defence of self sponsorship was implausible and jejune. I challenge them to provide veracious evidence to counter this claim. Idowu Afuye, a notorious truant left Ekiti Assembly as a Level 9 or 10 officer over a decade ago. He must realise that the status quo then and ways of doing things have changed. He must learn how to dive with the tide.
2. Capacity Building for Legislative Duties:
The kernel of any legislative arm is to foster good governance. The assembly is a compass in this realm. The major goal of this retreat is capacity building in legislative duties. The skills and knowledge acquired will undoubtedly benefit Ekiti State and equip the lawmakers to serve their constituents more effectively.
3. Bilateral Legislation :
Across the world, legislative capacity building is recognized as a vital weapon for effective governance. It empowers legislators to enact informed policies that address the needs of their communities. Lawmakers as representatives of their people must be committed to this cause.
OPENNESS
It is expendient to state that this trip was not shrouded in secrecy. It was an open and accountable thing. That was why the House had publicly announced this trip for over a week at its plenary. It was further reiterated during the budget presentation to push it to the public glare.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND EKITI ASSEMBLY IN FOCUS
Some of these armchair critics were oblivious of the happenings at home. But they needed to throw stones at a moving train to gain attention. The achievements of the 7th Assembly in the last one and half years have been stunning. They have mustered and exerted actions that portrayed high level of independence to correct the tag of being a rubber-stamp. They include:
.Passage of 16 private and executive bills and 46 resolutions, attesting to the vibrancy of members.These can be confirmed via our website:
@https://www.hoa.ek.gov.ng.
Adoption of e-parliament, thereby recognizes the House as the best in Nigeria in terms of ICT integration.
Ensuring open accountability from all Local Governments, MDAs, and holding government activities accountable.
.lawmakers’ spouses investment of over N80 million to empower widows, orphans, indigent citizens and other vulnerable groups.
Live broadcast of all plenary sessions, thereby enhancing transparency.
Establishment of a functional website, allowing Ekiti citizens to provide feedbacks.
Launch of online TV platform.
For the first time, staff of the house are now enjoying staff loans with their own independent loans board
– Constituency engagements by members to foster direct communication with constituents.
-Prompt responses to urgent public matters.
-Having highest number of private bills passed, outnumbering executive bills for the first time in history.
,Continued commitment to oversight functions, monitoring, and evaluation.
It is then barbaric and flies in the face of rational thinking that critics could in this modern time branded the trip as a misplaced priority. The proponents of this onslaught must elevate their understanding of legislation under a 21st century: It is intellectually driven. Going by the happenings in the global community, the trip is well conceived and good for Ekiti governance as well as its development.
Dr. Arifayan is a public affairs analyst and Founder, Ekiti Patriotic Movement for Good Governance.