By Efio-Ita Nyok |6 July 2015 |5:11am
It's no more news that the executive governor of Cross River State, in the person of His Excellency Benedict Ayade, submitted a proposal to the state House of Assembly under the leadership of Speaker John Gaul for her to approve aides to the office of the governor to the surprising tune of 35; and that the House gave its nod to the executive submission.
There have been reactions and counter reactions to the decision made by both arms of government, however, the present author intends to air out his disappointment primarily as it borders on the legislative ratification made by the House. This disappointment hinges on the perception that the House failed on its primary responsibility.
World over, the legislature is reputed to be charged with making/enacting laws, representation and performing oversight functions over the executive amongst others. This legislative task derives from Montesquieu's principle of 'separation of powers' into three arms, namely, the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. It is believed that this principle is aimed at allowing for check and balances amongst the three arms of government. In other words, the excesses of the one arm is curtailed by the one and vice versa.
My reaction is coming on the hills of the latter position of checks and balances which this tripartite configuration ensures. That is to say, despite the fact that the executive arm of government embodied in the governor made a profound mistake in requesting 35 aides for the governor, the legislature, in this case, Cross River State House of Assembly, made a more profound error, a double mistake if you wish, in ratifying that request!
Like Okoi Obono-Obla would inquire, What on earth, is Gov. Ben Ayade going to do or is doing with 35 aides? My addendum is: Why would John Gaul's CRSHA approve such a bulky collection of appointees considering the fact that the state is heavily indebted!? In what sense then did they check the excesses of the office of the governor(and the Executive by extension)? Again, would John Gaul's CRSHA conveniently say that their decision echoes with the aspirations of the masses which they represent? Isn't 35 aides such a heavy burden on Cross River -its indigenes and her inhabitants? I am afraid, but the fact is that Speaker John Gaul and his honourable colleagues in the state House of Assembly have failed Cross Riverians in this regard. In fact, this singular decision seem to be negating their 'honourability'.
My reasons for making the penultimate opinion rest on the fact that Cross River's fragile economy cannot support such an ill-informed decision. It is on record that the state is heavily indebted to the whooping tune of N400 billion. That may be Sen. Liyel Imoke's enduring legacy for a two tenure of eight years as governor(2007-15). What the billions translate into, in terms of visible project(s) in the state, is what maybe been quite difficult to demonstrate even to sympathisers of the last administration. Besides, beyond the aides that accrues to the office of His Excellency, there are other executive offices like commissioners, directors and executive secretaries for Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs) that are statutorily part and parcel of the executive arm of government especially the office of the governor. So, why multiply entities beyond necessities?
The so-called honourable members of CRSHA should be aware of this. If so, why did they insist on approving such a heavy burden on tax payers? I perceive that their decision was deliberate especially if we consider the fact that the governor requested for such a bulky set as a way of compensating political cronies and party faithfuls in the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). If this is anything to go by, Gaul's CRSHA rather decided to be an appendage to the office of the Executive Governor(and by extension the executive arm) instead of being the true representative of the masses that voted them into power. Self interest prevailed over of the wishes of the people. Is this representative democracy?
However, to my mind, CRSHA still has an ample opportunity to save its face of the embarrassment it has called for by moving a motion that seeks to trim the seize of the aides to the office of His Excellency in line with contemporary economic realities facing the state and nation at large. Speaker John Gaul should be reminded that the Speakership of CRSHA is not a 'political aloyal boy' to the office of the executive governor. A stitch in time saves nine.
