“Legislative business requires professional experiences, and the
only way we can have a robust and better society is to have diverse opinion
from different professional callings, law making is not meant for lawyers alone.”
This was the submission of a lawmaker representing Lagos
Mainland Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives; Hon. Abdul-Raheem
Olajide Jimoh on a radio programme while reacting to a topic, 'Does having more
Lawyers in the National Assembly lead to better Legislature'?
He opined that professional calling of members would be an added
advantage for the country to progress, saying the most important thing is to
contribute meaningfully to the benefit of the masses.
"As a parliamentarian, you have to contest for that
position, the electorates have the power to choose whoever they want, be it
Economists, Teacher, Engineer, the people decide who will represent them as the
lawmaking business entails legislation, representation, oversight functions and
anything that would bring meaningful developments for the welfare of the public.”
He said.
Jimoh further noted that not everybody that studied law can be
regarded as a lawyer, saying the practicing lawyer can perform better as a
lawmaker.
He argued that be it a practicing lawyer, banker and all other
professionals in any field of study are important.
"In the National Assembly, we have some lawyers that
performed less than those that are not lawyers or studied law. Some have not
even sponsored a single bill; yet we have some medical practitioners who are
performing well. As a professional, you can perform better than anyone who
studied law. This depends on an individual's ability and capability.”
Jimoh explained that being a lawyer, it is not automatic for
such person to become a legislator, saying due process must be followed in
terms of subjecting to the people and the party.
"There are processes and stages. In line with the
provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, You have to
subject to the primaries of the party and later to the electorates after you
have won the primary election.” He posited
Jimoh who is a banker and chartered administrator said no
professional is better than an individual who can advocate good things for
the benefit of the masses. "As far as I am concerned, whether a Lawyer,
Teacher, Doctor or any other professional, everyone is important when it's come
to legislation because ideas and experience would be shared and merged together
to get to the root of issues of discussion.” He said.
Source: J.J Pen Lab
