Ranking rule is a legislative convention that grants seniority based precedence to returning legislators over newly elected ones when appointing principal officers and committee chairperson.
It is a foundational principle that defines the hierarchy, power dynamics, and committee appointments within the legislature.
The rule is designed to strengthen the legislative process, promote experienced leadership, encourage legislative continuity, maintain institutional memory and reduce rancor over leadership positions.
In Nigeria, there has been a measured attempt to copy the US Congress via pragmatism in recognising seniority and experience when constituting the presiding officers’ positions.
It is pertinent to state that the ranking rule has been enshrined in the standing orders of the Nigerian Senate and is being enforced, stricto sensu. When the rule is added to the deliberate zoning decision, the leadership selection becomes much more streamlined and much less acrimonious.
Order 3 (2) of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 as amended on election of presiding and other officers, wherein ranking rule is clearly specified, states inter alia: “Nomination of senators to serve as presiding officers and appointments of principal officers and other officers of the Senate or on any parliamentary delegations shall be in accordance with the ranking of senators”
The idea of electing new legislators, introduces several disadvantages to the legislative and governance process. The primary drawbacks include a loss of institutional expertise, reduced efficiency, and a shift toward short-term thinking.
Those clamoring for the election of new legislators from Kogi State may be oblivious of the developmental gaps that exist within the state and the potentials and opportunities the ranking rule holds for returning senators as it relates to sustainable growth and development for our communities.
This does not in any way imply that electing new legislators to the Nigerian Senate where necessary is bad but it shouldn’t be that of replacing experience for apprenticeship as the floor of the Nigerian Senate is not a ground for legislative apprentice.
We must collectively resist the retrogressive idea of bringing new legislators without the requisite legislative experience to replace experienced ones as such idea is wrapped in personal and selfish ambitions skewed against the collective interest of the people.
I therefore recommend that the people of Kogi state, for their own sake and for our common good, come together to forge a consensus to returning our performing Senators back to the Senate.
– Sani Philips writes from Abuja.
