Zainab Olufunmi – Kano
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International in Nigeria mourns the demise of Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba.
Alhaji Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani)
Executive Director of CISLAC,
Head of Transparency International in Nigeria
According to the statement,” his dogged struggles for legislative autonomy and firm positions to defend Nigeria’s nascent democracy during his tenure as Speaker from 1999 to 2003.
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“As we commend his selfless fights for legislative strengthening, sustainable democracy and respect for the sanity and sanctity of the rule of law, while serving as the Speaker of the House”,he said.
The Executive Director said Na’Abba’s purposeful leadership and well-intended efforts that secured the legislature from executive control,political interference, suppression of power and power-corrupt politicians”,he said in the statement.
Rafsanjani futher explained that protecting our emerging democracy from a major setback, executive dominance, and other spirited tendencies to ride roughshod over the National Assembly.
He added that the current 13 percent derivation fund from the federation revenue to oil-producing communities in Niger Delta came to limelight under the leadership of Na’Abba as Speaker of the House.
“He had demonstrated sincere concerns for social justice and equity in Nigeria.
“His valued contributions to Nigeria’s democracy, the undaunted leadership capacity to harmoniously mobilise other Members of the House for a united and non-compromised front that commanded respect from the executive arm.
“Civil Society Groups in Nigeria worked collaboratively with the National Assembly to support legislative transparency , capacity strengthening and constituency accountability”,
Rafsanjani said there were regular consultations that helped legislative focused.
He said we are hopeful that Na’Abba’s democratic spirit and leadership principles will be emulated by the current leadership of the National Assembly and States Houses of Assembly and even future legislators in Nigeria.
