March 13, (THEWILL) — A former Minister of Lands and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien, has cautioned against the growing push to project inexperienced politicians for the Senate, warning that effective representation in the upper legislative chamber requires experience, legislative knowledge and ranking.
Essien, a former two-term member of the House of Representatives (1999–2007), gave the warning in Eket while receiving members of the Mkpat Enin Elders and Stakeholders Forum, who paid him a courtesy visit.
The former minister, who also serves as Chairman of the Eket Senatorial District Elders Forum, said the Nigerian Senate has evolved into a powerful institution where influence and effectiveness are largely determined by experience and seniority.
According to him, the complexity of legislative work at the National Assembly makes it risky for constituencies to send first-time politicians without adequate exposure to governance.
“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has, over the past 27 years, evolved into a strong institution where ranking senators wield considerable influence on legislative decisions and the running of the country.
“It would, therefore, be inexpedient for any constituency to send a freshman or a home-based political figure to represent them in the Nigerian Senate”, he said.
Essien stressed that lawmakers often spend their first years in the National Assembly learning the procedures and dynamics of legislative work, a process he said could limit the effectiveness of new entrants.
“The first two or three years in the legislature are usually a learning process for fresh members who go to the National Assembly to understand the rudiments of the system”, he said.
“For constituencies that want strong representation, experience and legislative exposure must be taken seriously.”
Drawing from his own experience in public office, Essien said many of his most significant achievements were recorded during his second term in the National Assembly, highlighting the importance of continuity in legislative representation.
He added that the Eket Senatorial District had historically benefited from experienced lawmakers and should remain mindful of the demands of federal legislative work when making future political decisions.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Mkpat Enin Elders and Stakeholders Forum, Obong Dr Sydney Udofot, represented by the forum’s secretary, Reverend Obot Ekanem, said the visit formed part of consultations by stakeholders within the senatorial district on issues affecting representation at the National Assembly.
