The International Society for Social Justice and Himan Rights (ISSJHR) says the House of Representatives will descend into legislative brigandage and become a tea cup parliament run by puppets if nothing was done to stop the politics of malice among its members.
In a statement in reaction to the simmering crisis within the minority caucus of the House, the body pointed out that when the legislature becomes a place of malice, it breaks the plank upon which democracy rests.
It, therefore, called on all members of the Caucus to resist this drift into constitutional decay.
“When members of parliament abandon the sacred rules of the House and allow political bitterness to dictate legislative conduct, the very soul of democracy comes under assault.
“What is currently unfolding in the House of Representatives against Hon. Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader, is not politics — it is persecution, plain and simple.
“Our detailed investigation revealed that, Hon. Chinda is being hounded for exercising his constitutional right to freedom of association and thought — rights guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). His personal relationship with the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, does not nullify his PDP membership, nor does it invalidate his leadership position in the National Assembly.
“This attempt to victimize Hon. Chinda is a direct assault on the independence of the legislature, the rule of law, and the constitutional order of the Republic. It is a dangerous precedent that, if left unchecked, will turn the parliament into a battlefield of vendetta rather than a sanctuary of conscience.
“The people of Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency — whom Hon. Chinda represents — have expressed anger and outrage over this reckless and politically motivated move.
“Their representative has been visible, vocal, and effective in the defense of legislative integrity. His record is verifiable and his service is honorable.
” Let them be guided by the rules of engagement, not by the venom of internal rivalry. The House of Representatives must not become a tool of intimidation by political warlords masquerading as party loyalists.
” We stand on our averred convinction that, When the legislature becomes a weapon of malice, it breaks the plank upon which democracy rests. Once the parliament violates its own creed, it commits an unforgivable treason against the people.
“The minority caucus is the watchdog and conscience of the House — the institutional padlock designed to checkmate the arrogance and excesses of the majority. Once the opposition lowers its guard out of fear or sentiment, the House collapses into the hands of the ruling cabal and becomes a tea-cup parliament run by puppets.
“We at the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights (ISSJHR) condemn, in the strongest possible terms, this creeping culture of legislative brigandage. It is a shameful mockery of the democratic ethos our nation claims to uphold.
“Let every legislator who still values integrity rise now to defend the sanctity of parliamentary order before it is too late. The ISSJHR will not hesitate to join any legitimate legal or civil action to confront and correct this unconstitutional intimidation.
“Democracy dies not only when soldiers take up arms but when lawmakers abandon conscience for conspiracy.
“Any parliament that bows to the dictates of hatred becomes a graveyard of conscience. The duty of a lawmaker is to defend the truth, not to auction it for political survival.”
“Let reason prevail over animosity, and let justice roar louder than fear”, the statement signed by the chancellor, Dr. Omenazu Jackson stated.
