How Na’Abba Died Before We Could Rally Help – Anyim
Former Senate President Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim has disclosed efforts made by past leaders of the National Assembly to garner support for the late Rt. Hon. Ghali Na’Abba, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, before his sudden demise on Wednesday.
Anyim, who presided over the 4th Senate as its 3rd President, shared that former presiding officers convened on December 23, 2003, and decided to reconvene at the National Hospital, Abuja, to assess Na’Abba’s situation.
The purpose was to collectively contribute to expediting his recovery, including exploring the possibility of arranging his transfer abroad for further medical attention once his condition stabilized.
“Sadly, on the 27th of December, 2023, the tragic news of his death broke, leaving little time to seek additional medical assistance. Hon. Ghali’s death is a national tragedy and a setback to our democratic progress, Anyim stated in a tribute to the late speaker on Thursday.
Anyim revealed that when the 4th Assembly commenced in 1999, following Nigeria’s return to democracy, it lacked the necessary structures for effective functioning. He highlighted the significant role played by Na’Abba in contributing substantially to the establishment of the structures that have evolved into the present-day National Assembly.
He shared his experience: “When Hon. Ghali was selected as the Speaker of the 4th House of
Representatives, I had the opportunity to meet him at the 4th National Assembly. Later, I was elected as the 3rd President of the 4th Senate.
“ To put it mildly, it was extremely difficult for both of us to lead the National Assembly during the period when democracy was restored following a 16-year absence of parliamentary institutions in Nigeria.
“We soon concluded that to accomplish the task at hand, we would need to collaborate closely.
To re-establish all democratic institutions through legislation, we needed to redefine the relationship between the executive and legislative branches and seek to ensure the independence of the legislature.
“Locally, the National Assembly members lacked offices, budgeting procedures, House and Senate rules, and rules governing their remuneration. At the global level, we had to rejoin and become members of important international parliamentary organisations, such as the African Parliamentary Union (APU), Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), and International Parliamentary Union (IPU), among others.
“In the year 2000, we were at the forefront of the inauguration of the ECOWAS Parliament in Bamako, Mali. My work with Hon. Ghali as leader of the 4th National Assembly was actually to lay the foundation upon which the subsequent National Assembly could build.
“I recall with a sense of credit to Hon. Ghali how he worked with me to develop the brief for the scope and design of the new wings of the National Assembly Complex for Julius Berger Nig. Plc; it was nights of no sleep for several months.”
As a reward for the efforts the late speaker made in building the legislature, Anyim suggested that the House of Representatives Wing of the National Assembly should be named after him.
He added, “I remember, with sufficient patriotism, how Ghali and I got together to decide on the Senate’s and the House of Representatives participation ratios in international parliamentary bodies. I will always be grateful to Ghali for supporting me during my difficult Senate tenure.
“I respect Ghali’s courage and convictions, and I acknowledge with due humility his sense of brotherhood and camaraderie. His rare insight and intellect are enviable and admirable.
Today, my associate, my friend, and my brother, Ghali Umar Na’Abba, are no more. I lost a friend, the nation lost a patriot, and his family lost a loving and caring father, but God receives in heaven an honest and compassionate soul.
“ In remembrance of the pioneering work Hon. Ghali accomplished in the House of Representatives, it may be necessary to name the House of Representative Wing of the National Assembly Complex as Hon. Ghali Umar Na’Abba
On behalf of former presiding officers, Anyim expressed condolences to Na’Abba’s family and the entire nation on the passing of the former Speaker.
