By Chibuike Nwabuko
In recent months, Nigeria has witnessed a staggering increase in fuel prices, a situation that has left many citizens struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. Yet, amidst the outcry from the populace, the silence of the National Assembly has been deafening. This silence raises questions about the role of the legislative body in addressing issues that directly affect the people they are elected to represent. Is this silence a mere oversight, or is it indicative of a deeper, more concerning trend within the corridors of power?
Fuel price hikes in Nigeria are not just an economic issue; they touch every aspect of life for the average Nigerian. From transportation to the cost of goods and services, the ripple effects are felt across the board. For a country where the majority live on less than two dollars a day, the increase in fuel prices is nothing short of a crisis. It affects the ability of families to afford basic necessities, and it exacerbates the already high levels of poverty and unemployment.
The government has attributed the fuel price hike to global market forces, currency depreciation, and the removal of subsidies—a long-debated issue in Nigeria’s economic policies. However, while the executive arm of government pushes these narratives, the National Assembly, the body constitutionally empowered to represent the people’s interests, has largely remained silent.
The National Assembly is mandated to serve as the voice of the people. It is expected to check the excesses of the executive, ensure accountability, and make laws that protect the interests of the citizenry. In the face of a national crisis like the fuel price hike, one would expect to call off recess and reconvene, engage in robust debate, public hearings, and inquiries into the causes and implications of such a critical issue. However, what Nigerians have witnessed is a near-total absence of legislative action or even concern.
The silence of the National Assembly on the fuel price hike could be interpreted in several ways. Some observers suggest that the lawmakers are simply out of touch with the realities faced by their constituents. Others argue that the legislators are more concerned with their own interests than with those of the people they represent. After all, many of them benefit from government largesse and are insulated from the economic hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians.
There is also the suggestion that this silence is a form of tacit approval of the executive’s actions. By not challenging the government’s decisions on fuel pricing, the National Assembly may be signaling its alignment with the policies of the executive, even if these policies are detrimental to the people. This raises serious concerns about the independence of the legislative arm of government and its ability to function as a check on the executive.
It is no secret that many members of the National Assembly have vested interests that may conflict with their duties as representatives of the people. The lucrative nature of political office in Nigeria has often led to accusations that lawmakers are more interested in preserving their positions and privileges than in serving the public. The silence on the fuel price hike could thus be seen as part of a broader pattern of self-serving behaviour, where the interests of the few outweigh the needs of the many.
The National Assembly’s silence on the fuel price hike is a betrayal of the trust placed in them by the Nigerian people. It is a failure to fulfill their constitutional duty to represent the interests of their constituents. For Nigeria to move forward, it is imperative that the legislative arm of government becomes more responsive to the needs and concerns of the people.
This begins with lawmakers acknowledging the hardship that the fuel price hike has caused and taking concrete steps to addressing it. This could involve holding public hearings, scrutinizing the government’s policies on fuel pricing, and pushing for measures that would mitigate the impact on the most vulnerable in society. It also requires a commitment to transparency and accountability, ensuring that any decisions made are in the best interest of the nation as a whole.
In the end, the National Assembly must remember that their power comes from the people, and it is to the people that they are ultimately accountable. The conspiracy of silence must end, and in its place, there should be a robust, people-centered legislative process that prioritizes the welfare of all Nigerians. Only then can the National Assembly truly fulfill its role as the defender of the people’s interests in the face of economic challenges like the ongoing fuel price hike.