By Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja,
Executive Director,
Nigerian Law Society (NLS)
The first part of the title of this article borrows an expression from the Bible (Romans 6:23) that says: “The Wages that sin pays is Death..”
It now appears that the wages that comes from speaking the truth (to power or any form of truth) on the floor of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is automatic suspension!!!
The second part of the title: “there is no comfort in the truth on the floor of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” is culled from the lyrics of a song.
“There’s no comfort in the truth” is a lyric from the song “Careless Whisper” by George Michael, essentially meaning that facing the harsh reality of a situation often brings pain rather than solace; it’s often easier to remain ignorant than to confront the truth, even if it’s painful.”
These statements are based on a pattern of suspensions and near-suspensions of Senators who dared to speak truth.
In no particular order, below is a record as follows:
In the year 2018, Senator Shehu Sani, “A former lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central in the Nigerian Senate, Shehu Sani has warned that whistleblowing in the Red Chamber is usually not tolerated by the leadership or the lawmakers.
Citing the challenges he faced during his time as a lawmaker, Sani on Thursday, suggested that there is an unwritten law in the Senate that prevents members from engaging in any form of whistleblowing.
Sani said only “divine intervention” can save a lawmaker from the wrath of the leadership of the Red Chamber in such a situation.
He said, “When I publicly disclosed the salaries and allowances of the Senators, it nearly earned me a SIX months suspension if not for Divine Intervention, “Saraki and Ekwerenmadu’s immediate rescue.
“Just know that if you are there and you blow whistle too loudly, you will be “On your Own”, no senator go bring him head or neck to support you,” Sani wrote on X.”.
According to Premium Times newspaper, in the year 2014, which carried out a forensic, investigative journalist report, the allegations of Senator Abdul Ningi were the truth and accurate, however, for speaking this truth, he was suspended by the Senate for a period of 90 days, which was later commuted to 75 days.
“Abdul Ningi (2024)
The Senate suspended Senator Abdul Ningi on March 12, 2024, for three months after he alleged that the 2024 budget was padded by ₦3 trillion.
His claims, made in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, suggested that Nigeria was operating two different budgets: one approved by the National Assembly and another being implemented by the presidency.
Ningi’s allegations led to intense debates in the Senate, prompting a motion by Senator Solomon Adeola, which resulted in his suspension.
Following his suspension, Ningi resigned as chairman of the Northern Senators Forum.”
In the year 2018, Senator Omo-Agege was suspended for speaking the truth that some Senators were deliberately delaying and attempting to frustrate the amendment of the Electoral Act, 2010 for their selfish aims of winning the forthcoming 2019 elections.
By virtue of certain international treaties to which Nigeria is signatory to, Electoral laws are supposed to be enacted at least six months before any elections.
So in view of the 2019 general elections that were scheduled to commence from February 2019, Senator Omo-Agege was speaking the truth but he was suspended for 90 days by the Senate.
Senator Ali Ndume narrowly escaped suspension in the year 2024, for truthfully using the term “klepotcrats” during an interview on TV to describe some of his colleagues. He had previously been suspended by the Senate in the year 2017 when he made allegations of tax evasion against the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki.
“Senator Joseph Waku (2000)
Joseph Waku, a senator from Benue State, was suspended in 2000 after making a controversial statement suggesting that a military coup would be preferable to allowing former President Olusegun Obasanjo to continue in office.
His comments were widely condemned, leading to his suspension.”
It was later revealed by concrete evidence that the said President had dictatorial tendencies such as trying to “persuade” the National Assembly to alter the Nigerian Constitution to enable him serve a third term of four years!!!!
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