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
6 c) 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.