A popular Lagos-based Islamic cleric and former lawmaker,
Abdul-Lateef Abdul-Hakeem, has described Nigeria’s seventh National
Senate headed by Senator David Mark as the worst senate in the world,
not only in its activities, but in regard to corruption.
Abdul-Hakeem,
a former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and top Islamic
scholar, further slammed the
Senate for milking Nigerians dry enriching
themselves at the expense of poor masses.
Speaking at a Ramadan
lecture organised by the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of
Assembly, Sanai Agunbiade, the cleric recalled how the seventh Senate
“shamelessly” passed 46 bills in 10 minutes just hours to the end of the
tenure just to cover up for their inactivity throughout the four years
lifespan of that Senate.
Abdul-Lateef commended Nigerians for
clamouring for a pay cut in the budget of the National Assembly just as
he warned the members of the National Assembly not to take this call for
a joke.
He said while Nigerians are clamouring for this pay cut,
the lawmakers have also explained that their various constituencies are
their problem as they make financial demands at every opportunity.
He
therefore urged Nigerians to begin to discourage themselves from
putting financial pressure on legislators so as not to push them to
steal public funds.
He also said the constitution does not need
any more amendment, and that if the government can focus on the Chapter 2
of the budget, Nigerians would not disturb lawmakers.
Speaking
further, Abdul-Hakeem called for Section 6 (sub-section 6c) of the
Nigerian constitution to be expunged as it was a clog to Chapter 2 of
the same constitution which states that the responsibility of the the
responsibilities of the government to the people of the country.
According
to him, Section 6 of the constitution states that no court of law can
force the Federal Government to implement the chapter 2 to the latter.
He
said ordinarily, chapter 2 of the constitution says the responsibility
of the government is the welfare of the people meaning that those not
employed are supposed to enjoy some benefits from the government till
they get jobs.
He said the constitution states that the government
must provide free education at all levels for students, provide old-age
benefits to old people and free health to Nigerian children.
He
commended Agunbiade for facilitating major projects including the Mile
12-Ikorodu Road to the area and added that the lawmaker had become a
major force in the state Assembly.
Speaking on the topic: ‘The
Power of Iman (Faith) in Man’, Agunbiade, who said this was the fifth
edition of the programme, added that from birth, human beings live by
faith.
He urged Nigerians to love their neighbours, preach peace and unity for the country to move forward.
He also promised to continue with the programme as long as he was capable to do so.
Source: Pm News
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