Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) yesterday described the three month suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi Central) over his observation on the 2024 budget as undemocratic and warned against the stifling freedom of expression.
The CSOs, speaking through their leader Awwal Musa Rafsanjani, who heqds the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria), said they are worried that the Senate’s action smacks of an attack on freedom of expression and oppositions’ rights and independence.
Ningi was suspended for raising unfounded alarm over padding of N3.7 trillion in the 2024 Appropriation Act. But the Senate spokesman, Yemi Adaramodu said the amount was captured in the budget of agencies of government that are on first line charge.
However, Rafsanjani said CSOs are seriously perturbed by the “undemocratic action and questionable decision” of the Senate leadership in suspending Ningi.
“We are not unaware that the suspension was initiated against Senator Ningi for expressing his constitutionally guaranteed concerns and observations on the 2024 budget at this critical moment when the nation is deeply soaked in socio-economic and financial crisis.
“The suspension is not unconnected with the public exposure of the N3 Trillion padded into the 2024 budget by the Upper Chamber, which has hitherto failed to display transparency and public accountability in its annual budgetary allocation and spending. This includes the inequality and disproportionate marginalisation surrounding the distributions of the N3 Trillion, where each Senator is expected to receive N500million as Constituency Allowance.
“We recognise and affirm that freedom of expression and opinion remains sacrosanct to preserve the democratic culture, values and principles in Nigeria.
“We without hesitation, uphold our position that freedom of opinion and expression is a constitutional and legally-backed right under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria; Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948; Article 19 (2) of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966; hence, the sanity and sanctity of these provisions must be strictly adhered, demonstrated and protected by a civic institution such as National Assembly.
Anything outside these provisions is tantamount to deliberate violation of human rights and apparent disregard to the rule of law.
“We must reiterate that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a supreme law of the country gives zero provision or power to the Senate to suspend a Member of the National Assembly.
Such provisions are only found in the Ethics and Privileges Committee laws, which is answerable to the plenary through the Senate President. On this note, the Committee laws cannot override the Constitution, most especially in a matter of freedom of expression which is a fundamental right,” the CSOs said.
“Just as every member of the National Assembly representing his/her constituency has the primary mandates and responsibilities to absorb communal observations and offer feedback to the people for public accountability, expressing such in form of opinion must not be interfered, intimidated or suppressed in any way or form.”
He added that the repressive action by Senate leadership would clearly project the legislative arm as autocratic, which to a large extent would negatively impact legislators’ independence, robust debate, genuine submissions, and image of the legislature before Nigerians and the rest of the world.
“Unjust suspension of a Senator who represents an entire Senatorial district is similar to public demonstration of an unguarded culture of silencing, insensitivity, disrespect and marginalisation of the people.
“We strongly maintain that intimidating or silencing opinion of the dissents or oppositions is unhealthy in any civilised democracy and must not be tolerated as a culture in Nigeria. Despite the multiple number of opposition parties in the National Assembly, they appear to be conquered by power of the executive as well as the principal officers in the legislature.
“We therefore, call on the Senate to as a matter of urgency shun silencing opposition views in the legislature; as the essence of the legislature is to allow for freedom of expression and contrary opinions as well as provide a democratic platform for constructive debates that enhance national interest.
“The greatest danger is that legislators can no longer be allowed to perform their duties including oversight and opposing views on the executive and principal officers in the senate which will tantamount democratic dictatorships,” the CSOs said while calling on well-meaning Nigerians and the media to protect and reject any undemocratic action or decision by the National Assembly targeted at impeding public accountability and shrinking civic space,” he said.
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