April 3, (THEWILL)- The Nigerian Journal of Legal Studies has published a Master’s Thesis of Delta State Commissioner for Works, Highways and Urban Roads, Reuben Izeze.
Co-authored by his lecturers, Mohammed O. Amali and Nansat Stephanie Omoarebu, the article titled; “Critiquing The Democratic Ideals of Standing orders of Legislative House Through The Prism of The Rules of The Delta State House of Assembly: Lessons From a Cross-country Survey”, was published in the Volume 12 of the 2023 edition of the Journal.
THEWILL Recalls that a team of external examiners, led by Professor George Akinseye (SAN), had adjudged the thesis, the best research for the session at the Faculty of Law, where Izeze was awarded best graduating student in the Department of Private Law at the 8th convocation of the Delta State University, Abraka.
The article examines the extent and application of relevant areas of Standing Orders of the Delta State House of Assembly by interrogating the general level of internal democracy entrenched in it and juxtaposing it with corresponding Standing Orders of the parliaments of two different jurisdictions of New South Wales and Kenya.
It established that Standing Orders, however, well thought out are inherently laden with provisions that infringe upon the principles of democracy and democratic ideals generals.
While emphasising that the important aspect of Parliamentary privilege is that each House has the privilege of controlling its own procedure, it further asserts that the Parliament draws up the rules in its own right because it has the power to introduce whatever regulations it deems appropriate.
“The permanent written rules under which the House regulates its proceedings are known as the Standing Orders, and these rules governing legislative processes have implication on the authenticity, the reach and quality of representation.
“Despite the paramount need for the sanctity of these rules, there has been a misuse of its provisions in certain quarters. Impelled therefore by the incessant suspension of lawmakers in Nigeria by Legislative Houses citing breach of Standing Orders/Rules”, the authors conclud.
Izeze, a two-term member of the Delta State House of Assembly, represented Ughelli South State Constituency in 2015 and re-elected in 2019. He was called to the Nigerian Bar as solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court on 26th November, 2014..
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