Mr Speaker, Become An All-Nighter At The Nigerian Parliament Until D-Day—December 3rd, 2014
Mr Speaker, right now, and as a matter of urgency head into the lower chamber of the National Assembly, and become an All-Nighter until the morning of December 3rd, 2014. Yes, it is okay to do this, asis the People's House.
Everyone from the streets of Nigeria to every other street across the world, especially in democratic societies where people speak and stand for freedom, will be watching to see if the morning of December 3rd, 2014, will be a day of another attack or a day of freedom in the Parliament in Abuja, Nigeria.
As the world noticed, twice in November of this year the court ruled that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, AminuTambuwal,is to maintain his Speaker's status until December 3 when the legislature reconvenes again.
But on November 20th, a date set for an urgent session on the extension of emergency rule in three northeastern states, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was apparently defied by the executive arm of the government when that same Speaker, who was to preside over a special session, was almost barred and/or killed by the police on the grounds of the parliament.
Mr. Speaker, the discourse here has nothing to do with political allegiance, a political party, party interest, or partisan ideology, but it has everything to do about issues testing our people.
As you may know, the most powerful positions in any democratic or presidential system are those of the President and Speaker.
As you know now, you are a possible suspect to your rival, President Jonathan, and the President and his political associates may be acting on their darkest impulses as evidenced by the recent activities of an arm of the executive, the police force. The police who fired tear gas at you and other lawmakers were possibly attempting to stop you from performing your Speaker's duty in people's House, includingthe President's request for a session on the extension of emergency rule in the northeastern area.
So here is what you need to do should this happen again.
With the world, the Nigerian constitution and the people all behind you, between now and the morning of December 3rd, 2014, in your capacity as a representative of the people, and as the Speaker for the entire nation, go to the floor of the Lower House in the Parliament or what is called the National Assembly.
Remain on the House floor and speak out for hours throughout the day and night. You are not allowed to stop talking nor are you allowed to sleep. Yes, you can sip water, drink juices or soft drinks or chew something like light food, but you must keep speaking.
While on the House floor, 24 hours before the morning of the D-day, talk about things affecting the people or anything of your interest just to keep the time fully occupied.
Occupy your time with long talks, like the roles of great Nigerians, such asAwo, Zik, Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, Achebe, and many others.
Talk about your personal life and history, such as when you were a little boy and, as an adult, the role you have so far played in matters affecting the people. You are free to sing the Nigerian anthem, and explain what it means to today's Nigerians.
Remember you are in the battle of your life, and as such, you cannot afford to be missing on that D-day— December 3rd, 2014.
As you speak on the floor, let the people know why you are fighting for them, and why you are compelled to stand with them.
Tell the people why you stand against the Jonathan presidency, and why you think the moon might be as intimidating as the Nigerian-Jonathanism, in terms of troubling governance problems.
To keep you awake, just 7 hours to the D-Day, look for a long speech or a book by any Nigerian of your liking, as long as it relates to issues of development and matters of unity.
Mr. Speaker, this D-Day event is historically significant. As you know,the Court has told the Jonathan political party that the Lower House cannot reconvene for anything without the Speaker, andyou saw firsthand what happened in what could now be called the Thursday National Assembly Mayhem or the Jonathan No Entry Mayhem.
The Jonathan administration, having failed in court, apparently devised a plan to keep you out but it backfired and left the people asking what will follow next?
Mr. Speaker, there is a possibility you had a touch of the Thursday tear gas attack, and as you may know, this thingpopularly known as lachrymator, is a chemical weapon that could cause pain, vomiting, , blindness, and even death. So I beg you, please, right before you go into the House floor, get a medical checkup, as you will be on the floor for at least 24 hours.
Good luck and best wishes! Remember life is full of surprises, and you're about to embark on a brand new one on December 3rd, 2014. Again, Good luck O!
Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi is a Forensic, Clinical and National Psychologist and a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. [email protected]