Dear Nigerian Senate, please stop embarrassing us

monjola sotubo

March 16, 2016 10:13 AM

The Nigerian Senate, on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, refused to pass the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill.

Senator Dino Melaye

The Nigerian Senate, on Tuesday, March 15, 2016,

The bill, which was sponsored by Senator Biodun Olujimi from Ekiti State, was thrown out after it failed to pass the second reading.

Taraba State Senator, Emmanuel Bwacha spoke against the bill from a “deep biblical and historical perspective” while his counterpart from Kebbi State, Adamu Aliero argued that the Constitution had already given every man and woman the necessary rights.

The Nigerian Senate has done a lot of ridiculous things in the past, but this has to be the most ridiculous of them all.

It’s amazing that in 2016, when the developed world has moved on to bigger issues, Nigerian lawmakers are still afraid of gender equality.

It’s equally astounding that the Senators do not realize that Nigeria is a secular state that is obligated to provide protection for even its non-religious citizens.

However, the most surprising aspect of the scenario is that the Senate couldn’t even muster up enough decency to pass the law just to save face.

Nigeria has a lot of good laws which are not being enforced but it can at least claim to be one of the advanced countries with such legislation.

In rejecting this bill, the Senate has revealed its true colours to its citizens and the world at large.

This story will make foreign headlines and our lawmakers will again have opened us up to international ridicule.

The Nigerian Senate has, in less than one year, attempted to stifle free speech, objectified women through the comments of Senators Dino Melaye and Ali Ndume, conducted a launch ceremony for suggestion boxes andpurchased expensive new cars despite the financial challenges being faced by the country.

These embarrassing actions make it seem like the Eight Senate is trying to compete with its predecessors who earned an international reputation for brawling.

The Nigerian Senate should please realize that it’s representing the Nigerian people as a whole and should conduct itself as such.

Dear Nigerian Senators, please stop embarrassing us, the world is watching.

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Watch video of Dino Melaye urging Nigerian men to patronize "Made-in-Nigeria" women below:

monjola sotubo