Perspective on 2025 NASS Open Week
By George OZALLA
In a well-attended second edition of the House of Representatives 2025 NASS Open Week, which concluded yesterday, a laudable initiative by the current leadership of the House of Representatives of the 10th Legislative Assembly- it threw open the gates of the complex for citizens to have opportunity to interact freely with their Members, ask questions on legislative activities, as well as gain more insights on progress made so far and the way forward.
However, as it is already known by many that in a democratic setup, the three arms of government – the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary – are well-defined and constitutionally mandated to ensure the smooth functioning of the state, beyond these formal structures, there exists a vital component that plays a critical role in shaping the narrative and holding those in power accountable – the media. Often referred to as the “Fourth Estate,” the media’s influence is profound, and its importance cannot be overstated, therein lies also its own ethics and professionalism. Edmund Burke, a renowned Anglo-Irish statesman and economist, aptly put it, “There are Three Estates in Parliament; but, in the Reporters’ Gallery yonder, there sits a Fourth Estate more important far than they all.” This underscores the media’s critical function in a democratic society. The media’s role is multifaceted. It informs the public, provides a platform for diverse voices, views, and scrutinizes the actions of those in power. A well-informed citizenry is the backbone of a functioning democracy, and the media plays a pivotal role in ensuring that citizens are equipped with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. Likewise, Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, once noted, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”
The just concluded National Assembly (NASS) Open Week provides a pertinent example of the collective media and civil society’s role in action as always. During this three-day event, lawmakers in attendance engaged with civil society organizations, media practitioners, students, NYSC Corp members, Women Groups, Youth organisations, and other stakeholders on various issues affecting the nation. I took the opportunity to raise a critical question during a panel session moderated by the House Leader, Hon. (Prof.) Ihonvbere on the last day of the Open Week event. I asked, my voice steady but firm, “The cost of governance is skyrocketing, and government borrowing to finance luxury is alarming. Is this not a recipe for disaster?” I tried to suggest that NASS Open Book Week can be similarly initiated to verify frequent allegations of jumbo pay to elected officials, budget paddings, etc.
However, Prof. Ihonvbere’s response was immediate, and his tone, unsettling. “Have you gone to scrutinize the budget of the Police Force or First Bank?” he fired back, his words hanging in the air like a challenge. I was taken aback, but I pressed on because my confidence was intact. “The issue at hand is not about comparing budgets, but about accountability and transparency in governance. We need to know how our money is being spent.”
Furthermore, what struck me was Prof. Ihonvbere’s swift reaction, given his background and earlier position on disturbing attitude of some politicians to remain in power forever. Having once been a champion of the people’s cause as Academic Staff of Universities (ASUU)’s Secretary General – as well as other key positions, and now as the House Leader and a ‘supposed Comrade,’ I expected more listening atmosphere and thereafter, address concerns I raised. His attempt to cut me off and dismiss my concerns spoke volumes about how some individuals intensionally switch principles to fit into the existential status quo when they cross over from the complaining side to the rewarding political side. I have been involved in trade unionism, journalism, and activism for a long time, I know to some reasonable extent that our entire political leadership system especially is plagued by ineffectual operational guidelines and corrupt practices when it comes to expenditure and execution of projects and a whole lot other knotty issues.
Of course, citizens often believe due to excessive ‘show offs’- that elected officials receive substantial sums of money with varying motives, which fuels their demands, pressures and all manner of disturbances – both realistic and unrealistic!
The relationship between the media, civil society, and those in government should be one of constructive engagement and mutual respect. Both the media and civil society should not be seen as obstacles to democratic progress but rather as complementary entities with respected boundaries and a decent approach. No matter how gloomy anyone may want to paint our democratic journey so far, there are still obvious recorded achievements.
Report has it that since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly on June 13, 2023, the House of Representatives has successfully considered 2,263 bills, of which 1,478 (representing 65.3%) have passed Second Reading, while 339 bills have passed Third Reading. The above figure is the highest for any Assembly since 1999 within the same time frame. Of all the bills introduced, the House has passed a total of 186 bills, of which 51 have already been signed into law by Mr. President. Available data indicates that it is indeed the highest ‘presidential assent’ to bills by any president in his first two years in office. The House of Representatives has also between June 2023 and June 9, 2025, entertained 1,100 motions. 405 of these motions, representing 36.8%, were on Matters of Urgent Public Importance, showcasing a firm commitment on the part of Honorable Members to respond to the needs, yearnings, and concerns of their respective constituencies. There are other existing initiatives crafted to one way or another ameliorate the harsh realities of everyday life for the generality of Nigerians. There is room for more improvement, openness, inclusivity and more important, cutting down on cost of governance across all tiers of government.
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief of NEWSCOUNT
