‘No parent goes to bed with house on fire’ — group faults n’assembly recess

The Network for the Actualisation of Social Growth and Viable Development (NEFGAD) has criticised the national assembly for embarking on recess.

The senate and house of representatives commenced their annual recess on Tuesday to resume on September 17.

In a statement on Thursday, Akingunola Omoniyi, NEFGAD’s country head, said it is “insensitive” for lawmakers to embark on recess in the wake of a planned nationwide protest by Nigerians.

“No responsible parent goes to bed when the house is on fire,” NEFGAD said.

The group said the lawmakers “have forgotten their parental role in the nation in pursuit of pleasure and entertainment”.

“The protest has assumed the dimension of a national emergency whose outcome is unpredictable, hence the National Assembly has a complementary role,” the statement reads.

“Seeing the assembly fully in session to discuss and address some of these grievances alone could persuade Nigerians planning the protest to back down.

“The Assembly should know that going on recess this time is of no value to the country except personal enjoyment of the lawmakers.”

NEFGAD asked the legislators to shelve the recess and resume sitting “until there is national tranquility”.