In ideal democracies which Nigeria is copiously adopting, the principle of separation of powers is one of the pillars on which such societies are built. Indeed, since they (judiciary, legislature and executive) exist independently, they are meant to perform the role of checks and balances. In doing so, they avoid encroaching on each other’s responsibilities and constitutionally assigned roles. Notwithstanding the above, they still complement each other in the onerous task of nation-building and in guaranteeing the positive growth and development of the country. In the case of Nigeria, given that we just emerged as a democracy in 1999 from many years of dictatorial military interregnum, we had no choice than to tolerate the unending meddlesomeness of a dictator turned democrat, General Olusegun Obansanjo in the affairs of the legislature.
Pitiably, that administration was not tutored or refused to learn to observe the basic tenets of democracy, and so across the nation, and in various spheres of national life, we found the executive exhibiting various forms of undemocratic tendencies, ranging from EFCC encroachment on fundamental human rights of citizens, imposition of candidates in elections and sponsoring of impeachment of duly elected officials of state. Those were the dark days of what many considered our ‘’nascent democracy”, and Nigerians tolerated these malfeasance as their own sacrifice for the growth of our democracy. It can be said that Nigerians did not indulge former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his many undemocratic misdemeanors because we lacked understanding of what a true democratic system entailed, after all we had perfectly practiced democracy under Tafawa Balewa as far back as the 60s and from 1979 to 1983 under Alhaji Shehu Shagari.
Therefore, Obasanjo’s interloper’s adventurism in the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly was an aberration. The present day meddlesomeness can be traced to his ignominious example. In the present dispensation, President Muhammadu Buhari being a law abiding person, and having followed the democratic route since 2003 when he joined partisan politics has made it very clear that he will not unnecessarily interfere in the affairs of other arms of the government. In doing so, he realises that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has spelt out the responsibilities of the different arms of government, including the ways and manner for the emergence of their various leaderships. Therefore, it will amount to acting ultra vires, and totally incongruent with our laws for the president to undertake the needless mission of imposing his will on the elected representatives of the people as we have in the National Assembly.
Perhaps, it is pertinent to recall that President Buhari has similarly exhibited this adherence to the rule of law by resorting to the law courts each time he lost the Presidential election since 2003. By doing so, he demonstrated his unflinching confidence in our judiciary as imperfect as they maybe, after all it is a human institution that is also vulnerable to the vagaries of human nature. It is not at all surprising that in the recent melodrama that unfolded in the election of principal officials of the National Assembly, that President Buhari once again demonstrated his statesmanship and willingness to help in the rapid growth and development of our democratic culture by giving the legislature the leeway to freely choose their leaders without undue interference as we hitherto used to experience. Obviously, while some vested interests would have preferred to use Mr. President as a stepping stone to achieving their hidden agenda, most Nigerians have continued to applaud his stance of non interference in the affairs of other arms of government.
While this approach is laudable, yet it is what the law sanctioned. It is indeed a welcome development that for once we are beginning to adhere to basic democratic norms and ethos under President Buhari, and if this is sustained, there is hope that Nigeria’s democracy will continue to grow from strength to strength. To the anti democratic forces and NASS members who lost out in their scheming for top NASS positions, they must realise that Nigeria is not a banana republic, rather a country governed by lawful processes which failure to adhere to by all concerned usually boomerangs and ultimately may incur the wrath of ordinary people. All rational-thinking people want things to be done properly more so in this era of zero tolerance for corruption and cutting corners and any attempt to thwart the democratic process will spell doom not only for APC as a party, but our overall desire for democracy and freedom of choice. With the unflinching support of Nigerians for the new National Assembly leadership and especially the configuration that has factored the complexities of our country into its choices, it will amount to an effort in futility for a few individuals without any altruistic reasons to insist on imposing their will on the nation.
President Muhammadu Buhari has already shown a worthy example which other leaders of APC and legislators must key into so that Nigeria can advance to the next level. A situation where a few individuals either for some primordial or selfish interests continue to hold the country down should be condemned by all and sundry. Since Nigeria is not the private estate of an individual or a section of the country, common sense dictates that the popular maxim of ‘live and let live” should apply in our conducts and behaviors. Nigeria is not Oshodi or Ojuelegba market where the decision or pronouncement of one individual should prevail over and above the collective interest of the majority. It is this kind of mindset that has continued to cast Nigeria as a backward and uncivilized country, but now that President Buhari has come to straighten the rough paths of our nationhood, all hands must be on deck to support him to succeed for the good of all.