Transparency international, CISLAC mourn Ghali Na’Abba
By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
Transparency International in Nigeria and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre CISLAC) have described the late Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba, as a dogged fighter for autonomy of the Legislature in Nigeria.
In a statement, the two organizations said that Na’Abba used his position to defend the nation’s then nascent democratic rule between 1999 and 2003.
The statement signed and by the Executive Director, of CISLAC and Head Transparency international in Nigeria, Mallam Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, said that, “we in the spirit of commiseration, recall his dogged struggles for legislative autonomy and firm positions to defend Nigeria’s nascent democracy during his tenure as Speaker from 1999 to 2003.
“Just 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.
“We found worthy of emulation, Na’Abba’s purposeful leadership and well-intended efforts that secured the Legislature from control by the Executive political interference, suppression of power and power-corrupt politicians, while protecting our emerging democracy from a major setback, executive dominance and other spirited tendencies to ride roughshod over the National Assembly.
“We recall that the current 13 per cent derivation fund from the federation revenue to oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta came to limelight under the leadership of Na’Aabba as Speaker of the House.
“Through this move, he demonstrated sincere concerns for social justice and equity in Nigeria.
“We further observed in 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.
“We are hopeful that Ghali Na’Abba’s democratic spirit and leadership principles will be emulated by the current leadership of the National Assembly and Houses of Assembly in the states and even future legislators in Nigeria.”
