13 Sep 2009 |
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A Honourable Lawmaker? By Reuben Abati The Member of the House of Representatives who decided to slap a Security Man who had asked him to identify himself before being allowed into the premises of the House of Representatives is to face the House Ethics and Privileges Committee but it is such a great shame that up till now he has not seen the need to apologise to the public and to the man he assaulted. Lawmakers being human beings may find themselves misbehaving and it happens in other places too. Most recently in the United States, Joe Wilson, a member of the US House of Representatives (R- S. C) had heckled President Barack Obama calling him a liar on the floor of Congress. Wilson's conduct was considered gross. He has offered an apology, and he stands to lose next year's mid-term election. But Chinyere Igwe (Port Harcourt 2 Federal Constituency) is yet to show any remorse. Who does he think he is? His megalomania caused the problem in the first place. Dressed casually in "black trousers, and a flying khaki short-sleeves shirt, a jungle face cap and a pair of slippers," he sauntered into the National Assembly as if he was a delivery man ferrying a pack of pizza. And the security man, Chinelo Nwulu accosted him, asking for his identity and mission. Even if the fellow didn't look like an outsider, Nwulu was acting within his brief. Igwe who also answers the title of a Honourable lawmaker flipped and gave Nwulu "a dirty slap on the right side of his cheek" fuming: "Don't you know who I am?" When other persons intervened, Igwe further bellowed: "Imagine that boy. How could he claim not to know me? Does his duty not include recognition of members? He has just embarrassed me and I won't take it. This case will not end here. I will take it to any length, including the National Assembly Service Commission where he would be disciplined." It took 30 minutes before the lawmaker could be calmed down. It is Igwe who needs to be disciplined. Indeed, the matter should not end here. And the people who voted for Igwe in the 2007 elections (if they did) should be ashamed about their choice. Igwe's conduct belongs to the motor-park, or election day thuggery, not the hallowed precincts of a National assembly whose members are expected to be "honourable and distinguished." There is no way a security officer, either long-serving or newly recruited can possibly know the names and faces of all 469 members in the National Assembly. This is what Igwe was asking for. Stupidly. To prevent this kind of shameful show in the future, the National Assembly must insist on all lawmakers wearing a name tag. And there must be a dress code: nobody should be allowed into the premises dressed like a vagrant. We expect our lawmakers to be decent, polite and civil. Igwe is however not alone. He is merely the latest example of elite stupidity. "Don't you know who I am?" is the favourite phrase of Nigerian arrivistes and the nouveau riche. Every small man who manages to acquire a small measure of importance thinks that it is within his powers to trample upon every other Nigerian especially those he considers inferior. When he steps into a space, he expects every other person to genuflect. And yet the fellow's claim to importance may not be more than the reckless spending of stolen money, a rigged election that brought him to a position of influence, a funny chieftaincy title or a second hand four-wheel drive. Igwe asked: "Don't you know who I am?" The appropriate response is: "Who the hell are you? And who do you think you are?" And really who knows this fellow? What bills has he sponsored? What contribution has he made to the process of lawmaking? What memorable thing has he ever said other than his childish babble: "Don't you know who I am?" Sorry, we don't know. Honourable Igwe's conduct is irresponsible and inappropriate. Nwulu should sue him for assault and the court should see that justice is done.
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