With a legislative arm that was 'openly' at loggerheads with the executive, strange faces were seen (some have labeled them cultists) 'regularly' attending sittings more than congressmen, circulation of unconfirmed reports of congressmen and women been beaten up inside the faculty toilet and faculty premises, the resignation of more than a few congressmen, parliament stringently refusing to ratify the budget of the executive arm, the 'controversial' appointment of the Chief Justice of the association, the resignation of quite a few chamber heads, resignation of the then acting LAWBA president, amongst many other intrigues culminating in a near systematic shut down of the association.
The tension was so palpable and fierce, that after a particular rowdy and emotional session in parliament, The "Legal Watchmen" did a story on the activities of parliament that fateful day, which unfortunately did not go down well in quite a few quarters. Thus the wanton and dramatic destruction of the Legal Watchmen's notice board by some (unknown) elements, the fear, chaos and pandemonium that enveloped the entire faculty immediately after, and then the subsequent emergency meeting of all LAWSAns with any 'official position' convened by the student staff adviser. Sadly, even the meet by the "mighty" staff adviser could not broker peace, thus he had to read the "riot act" to all present!
Those were really dark days for the association!
It is against this background, that much attention has been focused on parliament this session!
With the Inaugural sitting and election of Principal officers of Parliament already conducted, LAWSAns are eager and curious to find out what to expect from Parliament this session! Can both arms of government get along? Can they work together to better the lot of law students?
UNIBEN LAWSA Press talked with a few LAWSAns on their reactions from the internal Parliament elections and their expectations; this is what they had to say-
•Eke Martins - 400L Congress member.
"For the first time in quite a long time, the congress was in a position where it had to pick between two persons who are both good, either choice would have been in the best interest of lawsans, would have spoken well of lawsa, would have acted in the right capacity as speaker. But then we couldn't pick two, it was not an easy task but then we believe that the congressmen in their wisdom chose one of them, the best of the both of them. It must be stated that either of the candidate would have been risky but its a risk we must take, and we do hope it pays us well and we'll not have any cause to look back (painfully) at our decision.
We hope the congress will work in unity and does not appear to be like the past assembly that was filled with so much rancor. In every honesty I do hope that this present assembly works hand in hand with the executive to ensure a better lawsa, because we've listened, we've learned and we're leading."
•Daniel Odigwe, 400L constituency.
"I think the recent congress elections was a very wonderful political miracle, because we thought a candidate would emerge and three candidates came out for the position and one of them won. I'm happy with the fact that the candidate that came out won despite the fact that it looked bleak at the beginning. The candidate had made it clear that he was not out to antagonize the President, rather they're going to work hand in hand to ensure the good fortune of Lawsans.
I'm trusting the LAWSA congress to meet up to expectations, they'll be a very viable strong check on the President, not to antagonize him, but help him achieve better than his predecessors".
•U.I. Alexander (Honourable Clerk of the SUG parliament).
"Although i wasn't present at the congress elections, from what I was briefed, it (the office of Speaker) was dearly contestable.
Nna victor is a very good friend of mine, and he brings nothing other than effective leadership, because this is a position he has been having in mind for a very long time... having it this time around, i don't expect anything other than perfect leadership and I wish him well he's from my class and I know he will deliver.
Having the leadership of Nna victor which is a nice one as I said earlier, they (congress) will deliver. They will do all that is expected of a parliamentary arm of government, anything you think is achievable would be achievable here, because they have a credible leader. So to an extent i believe everything will be fine".
Everything said and done, unibenlawsapress will like to use this medium to remind our leaders that we elected them into power and thus in the very least we expect not just accountability, effective representation, transparency and respect for the rule of law but also a certain level of maturity.
We expect them to realize that no matter their differences, their zeal and passion for a common purpose - "The advancement of LAWSA", should not only be a unifying factor but also, it should be paramount!
"Gafar" - unibenLAWSApress
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