By Prophet Abimaje
Recently, the social media was agog with a trending photo and video of a Kogi State Senator, Representing Kogi East, Jibrin Isah, alias Echocho, genuflecting before the Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Yahaya Adoza Bello.
The gesture which was meant to appreciate Governor for the ministerial nomination of the son of late first Executive Governor of the State, Prince Abubakar Oyidi Audu, was greeted with diverse opinions, one of which you are reading:
REMOVAL OF CAP
Cap is a symbol of authority, dignity, culture and tradition. It is a pivotal part of some traditional dressing which renders such a dress code incomplete without it. In the Rotary/Rotaract International Club, for instance, it is adjudging immodest dressing in a suit without a tie and wearing a caftan/traditional wear without a cap.
In the same manner, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is the highest Legislative body and heading an important arm of government is a very revered institution. The Senate has a dress code which must be at all times adhered to and should be seen to be observed even outside the hallowed chamber as a “Distinguish colleague”.
CONCEPT OF SENATE PRESIDENCY
Every member of the Senate is a potential Senate President. The Senate President is second in line of succession to the Nigerian Presidency, after the Vice President. It will be a gross abuse and desecration for a Senator, no matter the level of appreciation he/she wishes to express to kneel publicly for the purpose of an act of carrying out a constitutional responsibility (on the part of the President). How much less, kneeling for a State Governor.
PRECEDENCE
Such act, will engender a precedence, if not immediately condemned as governors will begin to see Senators from their state as puppet and those without such display of appreciation will be termed: ungrateful and disloyal.
PROFESSIONAL INTEGRITY AND DIGNITY
It is seen as a professional abuse for instance, for a member of any of the accounting bodies either ICAN or ANAN to do a waiter/waitress job in a Restaurant, no matter the situation, help must come from your professional colleagues; Same way a potential Senate president should not stoop so low in the display of emotional appreciation to kneeling before any political leader, except for a Traditional and, or spiritual leaders because they are custodian of blessing.
We intend to lend our voice devoid of personal considerations but for the safeguard of our most revered institution-THE SENATE.
Abimaje Prophet is the President, Oganenigu Peoples Mandate (OPM), Dekina Local government, Kogi State