In various Nigerian languages, democracy simply translates to the word, struggle. Frankly, in many parts of the developing world where democratic governance is being practiced, the name of the game is struggle. The people are simply struggling to grasp the tenets of the system.
This helps to explain why anyone in his right senses will conspire with hoodlums to forcefully remove the mace in a legislative chamber, which epitomizes its authority. This is exactly what happened last Wednesday in Abuja. In the full glare of television cameras, thugs stormed the Nigerian upper legislative chamber, which was in plenary, and made away with the mace. But, with Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu presiding, the Senators, who refused to be intimidated, quickly replaced the mace and continued with their proceedings.
However, on Thursday morning (yesterday), the Nigeria police announced that they had recovered the stolen mace at Abuja City Gate. The Police said its men engaged in massive raids of identified criminal spots and flashpoints, stop and search operations immediately the hoodlums took away the mace.
It was suspected that the mace was taken away from the Senate by persons believed to be working for a suspended Senator, Ovie Omo-Agege. The senator has denied knowing anything about the theft of the mace. He said he was in the Senate on Wednesday morning to resume work in spite of him being suspended.
Many Nigerians have reacted angrily and sadly over the latest ugly development in the Senate.
What is clear, however, is that the Nigerian Senate is a reflection of the intrigues and inadequacies which keep propping up in the country’s political system. Until the details of the matter are made public, ordinary Nigerians will remain confused about the motives of the key actors.
