The 8th Senate is perhaps the most praised and the most criticized at the same time. While its achievements are undeniable, except to those who hate it, there are four major reasons for which those who hate the Senate do so.
1. Lack of Clarity on Salaries and Allowances
There is a general notion that Nigerian Senators’ salary is a top secret which nobody knows about and this has led to the assumption that it is outrageously high. Some have even said a Senator earns more than the American President even though fact check shows the American President earns 400,000 dollars (148 million naira) annually in basic salary being about 12 million naira per month. On the other hand, a Nigerian Senator, even by the claim made by the stuanchiest enemy of the Senate, Sahara Reporters, earns about 2million naira PER ANNUM.
Professor Itse Sagay, however shocked the nation when he claimed a Senator earns 29 million per month and 3 billion yearly. Although the Professor did not reveal his sources, the reply of the Senate Spokesman describing the legal luminary as “senile, jaded, rustic and outdated Professor of Law” who may be “under influence of substance.” did not help matters.
The intervention of the Senate President’s office, which invited Civil Society Organizations to meet with the Senate President over the issue, did not do much to remove Sagay’s narrative from the mind of the people.
2. Senator Bukola Saraki
The circumstances which led to Saraki becoming the Senate President has been described by some as an act of betrayal. Saraki was not the ruling party’s favourite for the position but many argue that decision of who becomes Senate President should be a Senate matter.
Saraki became President of the Senate under controversial circumstances as narrated by Senator representing Benue North-East, Sen. Barnabas Gemade:
“We received an invitation from the office of the National Chairman of our party, the All Progressives Congress, which indicated the request of Mr. President to have a brief meeting with all the APC elected Senators and House of Representatives members at the International Conference Centre before the inauguration of the National Assembly at 10am
“In our effort to meet up with the time for the inauguration, we rushed to honour the invitation of Mr. President and while at the Conference Centre, news filtered to us that the Clerk of the National Assembly has started the process of election of the Senate President in our absence
“The Clerk of the National Assembly, knowing full well that the quorum for election of the Senate President has not been met, went ahead to conduct an election that shuts the door to about 53 other Senators which would remain unacceptable until what would meet democratic parameters is done
“We did not say that the quorum was not formed for the inauguration. We said the quorum was not formed for the election of the President. And that should be two-thirds of the senators present
“We like to make it very clear that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria gives the letter for the Proclamation and if he invites us for a meeting at 9am and states that due communication had been made to the National Assembly and before leadership is elected, the Clerk is the one that receives the correspondence of Mr President that there must be a slight delay in order to enable him speak with the Senators of the APC before they come and commence the process
“We had to rush from the meeting of the President, knowing full well that there would be a delay to accommodate everybody. But suddenly, we were told at that meeting that the election was already going on; the nomination had already closed. And this we find extremely unusual”.
The Senate President in September, 2015 was also faced with about 13-count criminal charges from alleged false declaration of assets, money laundering, and corruption charges amongst others and as such had to face the Code Of Conduct Tribunal. He was however discharged and acquitted in June 2017.
Before the dismissal of his case, many who find disappointment in the government found Saraki a ready target for blame as President Muhammad Buhari was massively popular.
Going against the wish of the party did not put Saraki and APC Chieftain, Bola Ahmad Tinubu, in the best of terms. Tinubu is said to own the media with shares in The Punch as well as ownership of The Nation, New Telegragh, Radio and Television Continental (TVC). But Saraki’s greatest enemy came in Sahara Reporters, a battle that has seen both parties in Court.
Bukola Saraki is perhaps the only enemy of Sahara Reporters that has not been taken down. Add Dino Malaye to the list.
3. Senator Dino Melaye
Sen. Dino Melaye representing Kogi West Senatorial District is controversy itself. Famous for his fight corruption in-house, Mr. Dino is however hated for what seem like his being rich as well as his support for Mr. Saraki ad his perceived distance from the President.
Accused of not graduating from Ahmadu Bello University, Mr. Dino was cleared as having graduated from the school.
He was earlier accused of threatening to beat up and impregnate Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“Look this is not Bourdillon (referring to the famous Lagos residence of Mrs Tinubu and her husband). I will beat you up,…. impregnate you and nothing will happen”.
He denied using such insolent, abusive, degrading and mannerless language on Senator Tinubu. Meanwhile, some supporters of Tinubu dared Senator Melaye to visit Lagos.
He visited Mrs. Tinubu’s Bourdillion Road neighbourhood in Lagos and then posted photographs of his adventure on Social Media, saying Eru Obodo (the river is never afraid of those swimming in it).
Sen. Melaye faulted ex-Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s marriage to Lara, calling her an ‘imported wife’ and saying he would marry a ‘made in Nigeria’ wife, to which the ex-Governor replied saying the Senator displayed “hollowness” by delving into a matter as private as his marriage to his wife.
Dino later developed a liking for irritating Sahara Reporters after the media house made several rather juvenile attempt to present the Senator as corrupt. A claim which, as of today, is based on how wealthy he is.
A rather embarrassing attempt at an interview is seen below. In the clip posted by Sahara Reporters, a SR reporter is seen practically harrassing the Senator in a crowded space asking for an interview by all means. The reporter wanted to hear immediately how exactly Mr. Dino became wealthy.
A second video shows SR’s Rudolph Okonkwo in what seem like an interview and a troll at the same time. At some point Rudolph just went on and on about how Mr. Dino made certain claims and tweets and was constantly unable to subtanciate his claims. Mr. Okonkwo even saw the need to laugh at his guest in the course of the interview.
4. Sen. Murray Bruce
The Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, who is the founder of Silverbird Group, is another controversial Senator and is very critical of the Government. It is however expected that since he is presently a Senator, he would be able to pull strings, as well as work for the masses. He is well known for his ‘Common Sense’ series.
In August, his constituents threatened to recall him for abandoning them and making Abuja his home. Meanwhile, as part of constituency project, he has donated an electric motorcycle to his constituency.
Some Nigerians have accused the Senator of not walking his ‘Common Sense’ talk since becoming a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Here are some of his tweets:
Either @Mbuhari increases the minimum wage to help masses cope with increased fuel price or he should allow minimum wage earners pay no tax.
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 12, 2016
This is the international arrival section of the PortHarcourt international airport. Tents. SHAME! Even Sudan has a better airport. pic.twitter.com/9vl8MkhB6d
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) October 26, 2017
Here is a tweet by one of his followers:
I’m tired of your common sense with no sensible action within your capacity. Have u sponsored any bill to support what you say??
— Alexander Brown (PT) (@Xela_brown) May 1, 2017
The major problem many Nigerians have with Mr. Bruce is perceived inconsistency. While Mr. Bruce tweeted that he voted for Saraki, a video interview he gave clearly shows him saying he did not vote at all.
Many have also complained about Mr. Bruce’s company and how it does not reflect what he says.
It can however not be ruled out that, being from Bayelsa, the Senator’s criticism or suggestios are often dismissed as the wailing of a Jonathan man.
Achievements of the Senate since inception
There are 17 ex-Governors in the Senate presently but the Senate is clearly independent and free from external influence. The fact that there are instances where the Senate and the Federal Government do not agree on some issues gives credence to that point.
The Senate uncovered the padding of the 2016 Budget and exposed it. Also, on Treasury Single Account, Sen. Dino Melaye exposed fraudulent activities that saved the Senate about N20bn.
The Senate has had issues with the Federal Government on the appointment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) boss, Ibrahim Magu. They rejected his appointment twice on account of security reports received from the DSS, but each time, Buhari sent Magu back insisting that he wants him as the EFCC boss.
Senate hearings on issues of public interest is also now common place as top Government officials are regularly called to face Committees to clarify issues.
In the last two legislative years of the Senate, 503 bills have been introduced. 48 have been passed while 140 are still at committee stage. Records show that 79 bills are awaiting first reading while seven executive bills were received.
On motions, 187 motions were sponsored and 369 petitions received. Also, some of the legislations are being processed to facilitate economic revival processes of the country.
On the anti-corruption war, the Senate has proven itself as a reliable partner with the Executive by exercising its constitutional powers through the oversight functions on the Treasury Single Account regime, the activities of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and the activities of Presidential Initiative for North East (PINE). It also took the bold step of abolishing the Excess Crude Account, which is viewed by many as slush fund for corrupt politicians. A position the Executive Arm of Government seem to have largely ignored.
The 8th Senate worked on economic related Bills such as the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill, National Development Bank of Nigeria (Establishment Bill), Warehouse Receipts Act (Amendment Bill), Investment and Securities Act (ISA) and Customs and Excise Management Act among others aimed at moving Nigeria from recession to prosperity.
As regards infrastructure reforms, the Senate introduced bills, like the Nigerian Railway Bill, Nigerian Ports and Harbour Bill, National Road Funds Bill, National Transport Commission Bill, National Inland Waterways Bill and the Federal Roads Bill that would create at least 580,000 new job opportunities for Nigerians in the next five years among others.
