The summoning of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola by the House of Representatives which is a fall out of the differences between both parties as a result of the reduction of the budget estimates for Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the second Niger Bridge. Insiders had varying opinions on this issue.

“The House of Representatives has the power to summon the Minister but we must also consider the context,” said an Insider working with the APC. He added that “the way forward is for this matter of appropriation to be decided at the Supreme Court.”

Another Insider following the same line of thought stated that “I believe the NASS should be allowed to perform its oversight functions on the executive, they are well within their rights to invite ministers to give account on such key issues”

“Fashola is justified in his statement to the House of Representatives as it seems that simple public finance concepts go over their heads,” said another Insider.

An Insider with the Labour Party stated that “The House has the right to summon Fashola. His utterances are very weary and offensive; it is something that affects the integrity of both the executive and the legislature.”

“Basically I think there need to be a lot of education and orientation for members of the executives. There had been a constant altercation between the executive and the legislature, and these are issues that ordinarily should not have arisen. In a budget process, in presenting a budget to the National Assembly, the budget on its own should explain itself to the legislature, calling you to come defend your budget should be premised on the fact that they have read the budget but do not fully understand. Hence, if you have a minister rather than educating the members of the National Assembly goes to the media to ridicule them. It showed that they still do not understand how governance works. They don’t understand the intricacies of governance. What Fashola did was procedurally wrong, what he should have done was to address the matter to the members of the committee in charge of his ministry. He should have a constant and amiable relationship with them. What I see in the executive are people who are ignorant about the running of government,” said another Insider from the PDP.

There is a better way to handle this issue before being allowed to degenerate into what it has become. Both the executive and the legislature must put the interest of the nation into consideration. But eventually, this is not exactly bad for our democracy.

These are members of the Political Insiders (Not all of whom participated in this issue)

Bukola Ogunyemi (NA), Amara Nwakpa (NA), Cheta Nwanze (NA), Seun Onigbinde (NA), Clarence Onyekwere (NA), Babatunde Ajileye (NA), Mark Amaza (NA), Saratu Abiola (NA), Henry Okelue (APC), Prince Deji Adeyanju (NA), John Paul Akinduro (LP), Ebubedike Akabua (NA), Ikemesit Effiong (NA), Saatah Nubari (NA), Chinedu Ekeeke (NA), Abdul Mahmud (NA), Tunji Andrews (NA), Ileowo Kikiowo (APC), Ikenna Okonkwo (NA), Stanley Azuakola (NA), Gbenga Olorunpomi (APC), Rinsola Abiola (APC), Ayobami Oyalowo (APC), Oluseun Odewale (APC), Anthony Ehilebo (PDP), Ohimai Amaize (NA), Bimbo Oke (PDP), Abigail Anaba (NA), Tony ‘Pox’ Iribor (NA), Michael Orodare (LP), Henry Nwazuruahu (PDP), Ojugo ‘Ojay’ Onyelukachukwu (PDP), Viola Okoli (PDP), Ariyo Dare Atoye (PDP), Oraye Franklin (PDP), Lai Labode (PDP), Akaebube (APGA), Aziza Uko (NA), Kayode Ajulo (LP)

Editor