House vs Okonjo-Iweala

THERE is unlikely to be any let up in the mutual animosity between the House of Representatives and the Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. She is too cocksure about everything to approach the legislature with the respect, humility and diplomacy required to secure the lawmakers' co-operation. And the House is too jealous of its powers to cede it to anyone with a stiff upper lip. While making a presentation before the House Finance Committee on December 19, the minister had in an embarrassing outburst demanded respect for ministers from the lawmakers. To everyone who watched what transpired on television, it was hard not to conclude that her surliness was influenced by distorted and poisoned talk from the corridors of power.