When three weeks ago, Babatunde Raji Fashola decided to take on the National Assembly by himself over the cuts made to his Ministry of Works’ Budget, it was beyond embarrassing. Not only on account of the way that he sparred with members of the legislature in an almost personal manner but also because as the governor of Lagos, the Senior Advocate had distinguished himself as a person who avoided the unnecessary noises while carrying out his duties. For eight years, he remarkably avoided the dirty public sparring with the central government that marked a better part of his predecessor’s term even at times when one thought he’d have been justified to engage the Federal Government.

Minister Fashola suddenly became an almost different person. His behaviour was sadly, recognisable. From Kayode Fayemi to Honourable Rotimi Amaechi whose verbal war with the incumbent Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike has earned them both a meme-worthy poster in almost every news outlet, members of President Buhari‘s cabinet have often allowed themselves moments like that.

Even the often level-headed Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo shockingly engaged in some back of forth with legislators over the non-confirmation of executive appointees by the Senate. This particular sparring was even a notch more embarrassing than that of cabinet members because Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu decided to confirm the cracks that exist within the Presidency by putting out an unnecessary statement hanging out the Acting President to dry.

These kinds of media outrage that start out in carelessly-worded statements from one public officer to another and end up in warped headlines, often taken out of context for the sensational value by the tabloids who know too well that readers rarely dig deeper for details are needless to say, dangerous for stability of the country and its flailing democracy. It’s bad enough that we are crawling through economic growth as a nation but add a government that cannot put aside the enormous egos in other to have a good working relationship, what you have is… well, Nigeria as is. And it definitely does not work.

Learning that the Presidency has received legal advice to settle issues of non-conformation of executive appointees by the Senate at the Supreme Court – one of the many reasons why the 8th Assembly and the Buhari-administration have found it difficult to get along – is a most welcome development. The advice is one that is past due if one were to be brutally honest. This is so for a number of reasons.

First, the nature of the mode of settlement – straight to the apex court without chasers – is comforting. Knowing the Supreme Court will simply have to interpret the Constitution and each party will be bound by the outcome is exactly what we need in a country where the backlog in the judicial system makes any dispute resolution seem harder than rocket science.

The second point is banal and the fact that it has to be raised underscores the emergency at hand. Taking this matter to an independent arbiter means that our leaders will have decided to grow up. Constant outrage in the media in a bid to look like the better public servant on social media and elsewhere is of no use to anyone. It leaves the general public confused and encourages animosity between the warring camps; animosity that will definitely carry into the next election cycle.

And finally, an interpretation of this issue by the Supreme Court means we would have put one thing out of the way. However, the matter is decided, political appointments make up a huge portion of the executive workforce and stalling their confirmation means that many projects are consequently being stalled. To decide this matter now is to have decided it for always: for this administration (and Assembly) and for those to come after it.

It will also pave the way for many other issues like this to be sent for final resolution by the Judiciary, including that of the power of the Senate to unilaterally make adjustments to the budget.

One final thing, however, is the fear that the legal advice will stop at being just that. It’s after all, just an advice. And the fact that it was first announced in the papers without any indication as to how soon the legal advice will be implemented is almost disheartening. Another story in the news. Another interesting headline for the NASS to react to.

But we will cast that fear aside and hope that this is one advice that the Presidency takes seriously. And in earnest.

For us. For our future.