The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has slammed the leadership of the National Assembly over the sudden shift of legislative duties.

HURiWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, wondered why the legislators did not take the same path due to the killings of hapless Nigerians by bandits and terrorists in the polity.

Decrying the development, he noted: “The suspension of legislative duties can only come about when an emergency arises. The decision to call off their legislative duties by the National Assembly because of the demise of President Muhammadu Buhari who died at a very ripe age, is uncalled for and demonstrates a lack of respect for the sensitivity of their duties to Nigerians.

“Why did the National Assembly not suspend sittings when 400 citizens from Benue and Plateau states were killed by terrorists/herders? Why did the National Assembly not suspend sittings when over 200 citizens perished in the floods around Mokwa in Niger state?

“The National Assembly can do better to honour the memories of Bugari if that’s what they intend to do. They can, for instance, recommend that the life and achievements, or lack of it, of the late President Muhammadu Buhari be studied as part of social studies in secondary schools.

“This suspension is very irrelevant and shows the laziness of the legislators who are looking for excuses to stay away from work. So what will the legislators be doing during this week-long ‘Buhari’s holiday’?

“Will the members be wearing black mourning clothes and be going to the prayer grounds to pray for the repose of Muhammadu Buhari, or will they observe a week-long fast? What exactly would they be doing for a week for which taxpayers’ money would be paid to do for failing to legislate within the timeframe they set for themselves, or will they cut off their end-of-year vacation by one week to make up for this one week holiday?”