A former member of the Nigerian Senate, Ameh Ebute, says the high turnover of lawmakers every four years is a product of the Nigerian Constitution.
He accuses the Executive, especially the state governors of manipulating the provisions of the Constitution to suit their purpose.
On the front burner in recent times is the increasing number of new members that get elected into the National Assembly every election season.
It has become topical due to the financial and material resources put into the four hundred and sixty nine legislators every four years.
This is an annual conference that brings perspectives to the legislature.
Legislative Experience: Reflection on Legislative Turnover and Institutional Accountability is the theme of this year’s edition.
In the build up to the general election, many serving lawmakers still struggle to fly the ticket of their political parties.
A former President of the Senate is the keynote Speaker at this fifth edition.
He accuses the state governors of determining who gets what to elective offices
His submission is that the National Assembly should take a second look at the Constitution
The Speaker of the House of Representatives no less agrees with the former Senate President.
He agrees Nigeria’s democracy can only be strengthened if the right people are allowed to occupy elective offices.
Political watchers have always wondered how the nation will develop the capacity to actually make the right laws especially in the legislature owing to the high turnover of legislators every election cycle.
While many have always pointed the accusing fingers at State Governors owing to their perceived high handedness and their emasculating any perceived opposition or slight by serving legislators ensuring they did not return after an election cycle.
The need to have a more stable Legislature with lawmakers spending more than an election cycle to garner experience, develop capacity which will enhance their ability to make better for the country cannot be over emphasised.
