The unexpected activities shaping the 8th National Assembly could be linked to the failure of the lawmakers and representative members to read and learn from past historical precursor of the arm of government, which has been causing chaos in their handling of parliamentary issues.

Former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani noted this on Monday while speaking at the public presentation of a book, entitled ‘Nigeria Fourth Republic National Assembly’ written by a renowned journalist, Dr Austin Uganwa, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

While recalling issues that have recently put the 8th National Assembly in bad shape, Senator Nnamani pointed out that the legislature must, as the duty expected of them, stand for democratic governance for Nigerians, adding that the issue of party supremacy and individual interest should not create imbroglio, but differences should be worked on to enhance unity and cohesion.

''During our own time, we played it in a way of liking to put a part together for the prosperity, and to also lay a good foundation for our children and grand children coming to take our place. And this is also because very soon, some people will start denying their roles which is already happening, because of the implication on the national state.

''We also had a very serious challenge with the then president, yet we worked together as a team to set the tone going, so as to ensuring independence of the legislature, and on the continuation of giving good governance to the people. The current lawmakers should as well be able to practise some of thing that we did during our tenure, to avoid the problem of internal crisis,'' he said.

''It is very evident that we could have been doing better than we are doing now. We should have prevented some of the things which have transpired in the years before, just as we also went through a major battle to establish political stability in the National Assembly'', he added.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of the occasion, Honorable Ghali Umar Na'abba, Speaker, House of Representatives (1999-2003), during his opening remarks, expressed regards for the author's feat in publishing a book which have chronicled the past historical antecedents of the legislature, and emphasise on the roles which the Nigerian media had played gallantly, in ensuring democracy at National Assembly and all levels of government.

He, however, admitted that: "I appreciate the author for inviting me to chair and speak on this occasion. And I must say that the development of democracy in Nigeria has been promoted positively, in no small measure, by the Nigerian media. There has not been any catalyst of democracy other than the press, though the National Assembly have, ever since, been facing issues of leadership.

''By all standards, I can recommend this book as a repository of knowledge for lawmakers, representative members, policy makers and media practitioners''.

The author, Dr Austin Agunwa, speaking on what engenders the publication of the book, stressed that "there is a need to embark on this project work, so as to document in the most detailed and digestible fashion, the debilitating issues, the challenges, the icons, the images, politics, policies and legislative framework that have shaped the first eight years of Fourth Republic of the National Assembly, woven around media courage and perception of the people".

''The far-reaching objective is to contribute into promoting this branch of government, that is, unmistakable cornerstone of democracy'', he posited.

The event hosted some more lawmakers and honorable members from 1999 to date, including Honorable Farouk Lawal, Senator Ita Enang and a host of others.

•Photo shows Ken Nnamani.

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