“The law is not a series of abstract principles, but a living process that must be guarded with integrity,” observed the legal philosopher Lon L. Fuller. Similarly, the statesman Edmund Burke once noted, “Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny.” Today, let’s reflect on the gradual erosion of the prestige of the gavel within the hallowed chambers of the Nigerian legislature.
Do you know that the gavel, once the ultimate symbol of order and parliamentary authority, is increasingly being reduced to a mere tool of political expediency? Keen observers of the Nigerian Senate and House of Representatives have witnessed instances – most notably during the contentious passage of the Electoral Act – where the presiding officer’s tapping became entirely disconnected from the actual proceedings on the floor. In that moment, the gavel was not an instrument used to maintain decorum or signal a consensus of the people’s representatives; instead, it was wielded with a reckless determination to achieve what many consider a predetermined objective, regardless of the proceedings on the floor or “points of order” raised by dissenting voices. The reality is that when a presiding officer becomes deaf to the the desires of the masses and th internal mechanics of what happens on the legislative floor while remaining hyper-sensitive to “external pressures” that aimed at achieveing selfish and parochial interet, the gavel loses its moral weight. This misuse sets a dangerous precedent where the process of law-making is sacrificed on the altar of temporary political victory, ignoring the reality that an undermined process eventually makes victims of everyone, including those who currently celebrate its subversion.
So, enhance your capacity to recognize that the integrity of our democratic process is just as vital as the legislative outcomes we desire. We must demand a return to parliamentary sessions where the gavel follows the flow of honest debate rather than stifling it, because when citizens lose faith in the transparency of law-making, the allure of “self-help” and civil unrest becomes a hauntingly attractive alternative. This is not a partisan issue; it is a fundamental survival strategy for our so called democracy, as the abuse of legislative tools creates a vacuum where justice is replaced by the whims of the powerful. We must advocate for a legislative culture where the presiding officer acts as a neutral arbiter rather than a partisan conductor, ensuring that every “aye” or “nay” is genuinely accounted for before the wood hits the sound block. By prioritizing the sanctity of the procedure over the convenience of the result, we protect the long-term stability of the nation against the chaotic fallout that inevitably follows the systemic betrayal of public trust and abuse of the rule of law.
As you step out each day, carry with you the understanding that a democracy is only as strong as the symbols it respects and the processes it upholds. We must remember that those who cheer for the bypass of order today may find themselves silenced by that very same lack of order tomorrow. Let us strive to restore the prestige of the gavel so it remains a shield for the many, rather than a hammer for the few.
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Esang Esitikot is a professor of occupational health and safety, a COREN-registered chemical engineer, public affairs analyst, UN Ambassador for Peace, certified management consultant, World Safety Organization Ambassador, recognized Environmental Ambassador, marriage counsellor, youth mentor, reviewer for international research journals and volunteer lecturer at the Institute of Health, Safety, Security and Environment, University of Uyo. He is a manager in the oil and gas industry and was recognized by Highstone Global University, USA as the occupational health and safety personality of 2024. He can be contacted via 08035103559 (Whatsapp only) or email (esitikot@gmail.com).
