A
abujagirl
Guest
On Monday, there were social media reports that President Muhammadu Buhari is demanding emergency powers to enable him tackle Nigeria's failing economy. While the Presidency has come out to say ''President Buhari hasn't seen the emergency economic bill'' , we do know that the bill exists and it is sponsored by the Executive arm of government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
READ: Emergency Power: 7 Things Every Nigerian Should Know About Buhari's Request
Some supporters of the Presidency are already clamouring for the bill to be passed into the law once the National Assembly returns from recess, however there are increasing concerns from the opposition.
Here are 6 reasons why President Buhari must not be given emergency powers:
1. Relic from the past
Just like most of President Buhari's actions, the Economic Stabilization Bill is a relic from the past. It was first proffered as a solution to Nigeria's economic crisis in 1982 when Shehu Shagari was President. In 1982, it was presented as the ''Economic Stabilization (Temporary Provisional) Act 1982''.
The Economic Stabilization bill did not work then and will likely not work in 2016 Nigeria.
2. Abuse of Public Procurement act
Granting the President emergency powers will amount to abuse of the Public Procurement act. Government will nolonger publicly advertise contracts before awarding plus the bidding process will be totally eliminated. This move will only favour the President and his cronies.
This move could destroy alot of small business that rely on government for patronage.
3. Total degradation of the National Assembly
The National assembly exists to check the excesses of the executive. A Presidency with emergency powers will lead to the annihilation of our National Assembly.
Our National Assembly may be corrupt but we need them there to be able to keep the President on his toes.
4. Imply the Present economic woes were caused by insufficient power
Granting the President emergency powers to tackle the economic troubles facing the country is a way of admitting that our problems were caused by insufficient powers. A President who took over 6 months to form a cabinet does not deserve emergency powers to do anything, he should be returning the powers already vested in him.
5. From Democracy to Dictatorship
Nigeria may as well go back to dictatorship if a President is allowed to get emergency powers. Too much power will become vested in one man and no matter how pure his intentions we all know that ''absolute power corrupts''.
Democracy is designed to restrain the potential of any one man becoming too powerful and doing as he pleases by involving as many people as possible in governance. Weakening checks encourages dictatorship.
6. Dangerous Precedent
Granting President Buhari emergency powers will set a very dangerous precedent. Future Presidents may make it a hobby to demand emergency powers for the smallest work challenge - this is a really dangerous move for a country rife with abuse of power.
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The President of Nigeria is already too powerful, why give him more power? . Nigeria can make its way out of recession by looking at other more practical solutions but emergency powers must and should never be granted to the President.
READ: Emergency Power: 7 Things Every Nigerian Should Know About Buhari's Request
Some supporters of the Presidency are already clamouring for the bill to be passed into the law once the National Assembly returns from recess, however there are increasing concerns from the opposition.
Here are 6 reasons why President Buhari must not be given emergency powers:
1. Relic from the past
Just like most of President Buhari's actions, the Economic Stabilization Bill is a relic from the past. It was first proffered as a solution to Nigeria's economic crisis in 1982 when Shehu Shagari was President. In 1982, it was presented as the ''Economic Stabilization (Temporary Provisional) Act 1982''.
The Economic Stabilization bill did not work then and will likely not work in 2016 Nigeria.
2. Abuse of Public Procurement act
Granting the President emergency powers will amount to abuse of the Public Procurement act. Government will nolonger publicly advertise contracts before awarding plus the bidding process will be totally eliminated. This move will only favour the President and his cronies.
This move could destroy alot of small business that rely on government for patronage.
3. Total degradation of the National Assembly
The National assembly exists to check the excesses of the executive. A Presidency with emergency powers will lead to the annihilation of our National Assembly.
Our National Assembly may be corrupt but we need them there to be able to keep the President on his toes.
4. Imply the Present economic woes were caused by insufficient power
Granting the President emergency powers to tackle the economic troubles facing the country is a way of admitting that our problems were caused by insufficient powers. A President who took over 6 months to form a cabinet does not deserve emergency powers to do anything, he should be returning the powers already vested in him.
5. From Democracy to Dictatorship
Nigeria may as well go back to dictatorship if a President is allowed to get emergency powers. Too much power will become vested in one man and no matter how pure his intentions we all know that ''absolute power corrupts''.
Democracy is designed to restrain the potential of any one man becoming too powerful and doing as he pleases by involving as many people as possible in governance. Weakening checks encourages dictatorship.
6. Dangerous Precedent
Granting President Buhari emergency powers will set a very dangerous precedent. Future Presidents may make it a hobby to demand emergency powers for the smallest work challenge - this is a really dangerous move for a country rife with abuse of power.
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The President of Nigeria is already too powerful, why give him more power? . Nigeria can make its way out of recession by looking at other more practical solutions but emergency powers must and should never be granted to the President.
