When I call them 'rubber stamp', some people kick. What else is the definition and exemplification of rubber stamp than shown in this video?
Why did the president send the request and communication to the Senate and why was it brought to the floor? If not to debate the merits or otherwise of the request. Was it merely for formality sake?
He simply put the question by voice vote and the 'ayes' had it without a debate simply because the Senators have read the content.
Yes, the Constitution in Section 5 Subsection 5 provides that:
"Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 4 of this section, the president; in consultation with the National Defence Council, may deploy members of the armed forces of the Federation on a limited combat duty outside Nigeria if he is satisfied that the national security is under imminent threat or danger;
Provided that the president shall, within seven days of actual combat engagement, seek the consent of the Senate and the Senate shall thereafter GIVE OR REFUSE the said consent within fourteen days."
The Senate President Godswill Akpabio in his response to the point raised by Senator Seriake Dickson on the need for a debate on on the President's request, clearly spoke like it was a given that the Senate must give consent once the President had sought for consent after the act. To ensure that, he prevented a debate on the request.
According to the Senate President, "the communication was for the Senate to give consent in line with the Constitution". I would think that the framers of the Constitution would have intended that such a consent or refusal should be a product of a robust debate.
One would recall that the Senate berated late President Buhari in 2017 after he deployed Nigerian troops to The Gambia to join troops from other ECOWAS member states to restore order to that country as part of ECOWAS’ efforts to quench the democratic crisis and instability that resulted then from the failure of Yahaya Jammeh to hand over power to the elected President Adama Barrow.
The Senate then insisted that Nigeria was not at war with any nation and there was no reason for the president to mobilise its military structure without first obtaining a legislative approval.
Again, following the coup in Niger Republic July 2023, President Tinubu in August 2023 requested approval of the Senate to send Nigerian Troops as part of an ECOWAS force to reinstate the democratically elected president of the country, but the Senate rejected the request.
What changed this time? What "imminent threat or danger" to Nigeria's national security did the events in Benin Republic pose greater than events in Niger Republic at the time? If any.
Apparently, this time around, the President decided to bypass the Senate and acted solo without first seeking Senate approval. Maybe he was under pressure from some external interests, allegedly. Of course he knew that his man friday Akpabio would help to do the laundry for him, and he has.
It is important to state that the Senate and the Legislature at large exist to act as a check and balance on the Executive on behalf of the Nigerian people. However, when the Senate or Legislature shirks that responsibility only to serve the interest of the Executive or the President, it is dangerous for both our democracy and our nation.
It is up to us Nigerians to wake up and shine our eyes, before these folks railroad us, eyes open into more wahala than we are already in.
I have said my peace once again.
©️ Uche Diala
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