Moro: Carving a Niche for Himself at The Senate

Writes about the various legislative interventions of ranking Senator and Senate Minority Leader, Abba Morro, since his election into the Red Chamber of the National Assembly in 2019.

In November, 2023, the Senator Godswill Akpabio-led 10th Senate elected Senator Patrick Abba Moro (Benue South) as its Minority Leader following his nomination by the opposition caucuses. This was sequel to the exit of Senator Simon Mwadkwon of Plateau State who was axed by the appeal court.

By this development, the Benue Senator who succeeded Senator David Mark in 2019 became a principal officer of the National Assembly.

Before his election as Minority Leader, Senator Moro, a ranking Senator has demonstrated capacity and competence in legislative assignments. He has provided leadership and quality representation for his constituents.

But Moro has an uphill task of stepping into the large shoes left behind by the 6th and 7th President of the Senate, Mark. It is on record that till date, Mark remains one of the longest Senators who served for 20 years, eight of which he was President of the Senate uninterrupted. This unarguably puts a heavy burden on Senator Moro to live up to his billings.

However, his election as Minority Leader seems to be trailing the trajectory of his predecessor; Mark who led the Senate to its glorious heights between 2007 and 2015.

In acknowledging the accomplishments of Moro last month, Mark praised him for his sterling leadership qualities.

He said, “These remarkable achievements are testaments to your exceptional leadership skills, unwavering dedication and the trust and confidence your colleagues have in you.

“Your elevation to such a crucial position is a testament to the respect and admiration you have earned throughout your distinguished career.

“Your commitment to public service, tireless advocacy for your constituents and your ability to bridge divides make you an exemplary choice for the role of Minority Leader”

The former Senate helmsman added: “As the minority leader, you will undoubtedly face numerous challenges and responsibilities. However, I have no doubt that your wealth of experience, sharp intellect, and unshakable principles will guide you in navigating these complexities with grace and resilience.

“Your ability to foster collaboration, encourage bipartisan dialogue and finding common ground will be instrumental in shaping thoughtful and impactful policies for the betterment of our nation.”

According to Mark “your election also serves as an inspiration to aspiring leaders who look up to you as a role model. Your dedication to public service and your unwavering commitments to the values that defines our great nation will undoubtably continue to inspire future generation of leaders.

He described Moro as a worthy successor saying “I have every confidence that you will excel in your new role as the Minority Leader of the Senate and continue to make significant difference in the lives of our people.”

Moro, on his part, left no one in doubt that he is prepared for the task ahead when he took to the floor of the Senate to move a motion calling for the abolition of Caretaker Committees running some Local Government Councils in the country.

In the motion that was unanimously endorsed, the Senate urged the Federal Government to henceforth withhold statutory monthly allocation to the Councils that are illegally run or administered by appointed Caretaker Committees set up by the State Governors.

It is instructive to note that in tandem with Section 7(1) of the 1999 constitution (as amended), the administration of Local Government Councils in Nigeria should be by elected officers and not appointed.

The section states emphatically that “The system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this constitution guaranteed; and accordingly, the government of every State shall subject to section 8 of this constitution, ensure their existence under a Law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils”.

Expectedly, more than a few of the States, believed to be about 16, running the third tier of government through appointed Caretaker Committees took the gauntlet attacking Moro for bringing the matter to the fore but that motion enjoyed a popular mandate across the length and breadth of Nigeria to wit: nothing stops an idea whose time has come.

Moro’s motion was titled, “Urgent need to halt the erosion of democracy: The dissolution of elected Councils in Benue State.”