Can We Mark David Mark's Word?

Senate President David Bonaventure Mark pledged that the national assembly will lead by firm (and may we hope, very honest) example in slashing federal government overhead costs with effect from the 2011 budget. He spoke during President Goodluck Jonathan's presentation of the budget proposals to the joint Senate/House sitting on Wednesday.

Good. Well said.

Is this a promise to be kept or is he venturing (no pun intended) into delicate vaults of contention, considering how touchy his colleagues can be in these matters?

Okay, give them the benefit of doubts, dear Nigerians, and await their very patriotic ACTION. Please.

Now ye distinguished and honourable legislators, lend me your ears: Make the cuts deep enough to mean what you pledged - may we suggest a meaningful figure of 50%? Please.

Once done, you can then pummel the executive branch - with our full, total and overawing support.

While you be at it, kindly settle the small unfinished business of passing the FoI Bill into law. Thank you.

Nigerian Parliament Vs Nigerian People

It still baffles how politicians "miss it". They don’t "get it", do they? And this is a worldwide mystery. Recall the British parliamentarians? And other parliaments? Recall the US Congress? And other bi-camerals? These folks are constantly being punished by voters yet the new set (plus their retained co-conspirators) proceed to pummel the populace with arrogant intolerance! They leave why they are elected and leap into cloud cuckooland, on a fishing expedition! Nigerian lawmakers are a rare species: having connived with the military to ruin their nation, they find it discomfiting to serve her nationals. They see themselves as lords and masters, feeding fat on the public purse and concocting fairytales like the discredited military vampires we finally dislodged. Nigerians are so miffed that visiting and reading online comments/chatters on these folks will deeply depress you. The list of their “sins” is long, very long.

Our look today is the small matter of these "representatives" wanting to impose themselves on their political parties - by attempting to pass a law to make them automatic members of their respective national executive committees! Okay, maybe it’s not too bad to aspire; but with the instant and constant rejection and opposition to the move by all Nigerians, you would expect the bill to freeze and disappear. Oh no, not this national assembly (as our parliament is uniquely named!) that serves self and scorns nation! The more the opposition, the emboldened and disdainful they became. And the utterances! The arrogance! Irking.

Not for the first - and, we predict, not for the  last - time, they have been roundly humbled to drop the controversial bill. Wisely, the senate acted first after the governors threatened court action openly, and electoral castration privately. It buckled. We are not impressed. The time and resources wasted on this misadventure should have been invested in better and more urgent bills - the freedom of information bill, voting rights for Nigerians in the Diaspora, a social security/welfare/safety net bill, electoral offences tribunal, special anti-corruption courts, removal of immunity from criminal prosecution of all political office holders as long-proposed by late President Yar’Adua, to mention a few.

The good news: Nigeria is showing African brethren how to respect the people - We, The PEOPLE! May our brethren continent-wide start to do same, and may their politicians (especially their parliaments) start to listen.

In sum, kudos to Nigerians and half-nod to the Nigerian Parliament!