The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has criticized the leadership of the National Assembly for suspending legislative activities in honor of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who recently passed away.
Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, expressed disapproval over what he described as an unnecessary interruption of parliamentary responsibilities, particularly in light of numerous national tragedies that had previously failed to attract such official attention.
“The suspension of legislative duties can only come about when an emergency arises. The decision to call off their legislative duties by the National Assembly because of the demise of President Muhammadu Buhari who died at a very ripe age, is uncalled for and demonstrates a lack of respect for the sensitivity of their duties to Nigerians,” Onwubiko stated.
He questioned why the lawmakers did not take similar actions when citizens suffered from violence and natural disasters.
“Why did the National Assembly not suspend sittings when 400 citizens from Benue and Plateau states were killed by terrorists/herders? Why did the National Assembly not suspend sittings when over 200 citizens perished in the floods around Mokwa in Niger state?” he asked.
Onwubiko suggested that if lawmakers genuinely wanted to honor the late president, they could do so in a more meaningful way.
“The National Assembly can do better to honour the memories of Buhari if that’s what they intend to do. They can, for instance, recommend that the life and achievements, or lack of it, of the late President Muhammadu Buhari be studied as part of social studies in secondary schools.”
He further accused the legislators of using the mourning period as an excuse to avoid work, raising concerns about accountability and productivity.
“This suspension is very irrelevant and shows the laziness of the legislators who are looking for excuses to stay away from work. So what will the legislators be doing during this week-long ‘Buhari’s holiday’?
“Will the members be wearing black mourning clothes and be going to the prayer grounds to pray for the repose of Muhammadu Buhari, or will they observe a week-long fast? What exactly would they be doing for a week for which taxpayers’ money would be paid to do for failing to legislate within the timeframe they set for themselves, or will they cut off their end-of-year vacation by one week to make up for this one week holiday?”
HURIWA’s reaction comes amid a wider national conversation on the appropriateness and priorities of public institutions in moments of mourning and national transition.
