Former senator Shehu Sani has shed light on the reasons state legislators struggle to oppose bills proposed by their governors.
Sani, who previously served as the representative for Kaduna Central Senatorial District, stated that any effort by lawmakers to dismiss a governor’s bill could lead to severe repercussions, such as the impeachment of the speaker or suspension of dissenting lawmakers.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), he remarked, “Members of State Houses of Assembly are often unable to reject an executive bill from their governors; otherwise, the speaker risks impeachment. Likewise, any member who is too critical of the governor may face suspension. This scenario has been prevalent in many states since 1999.”
His comments underscore the substantial influence that state governors hold in Nigeria, significantly impacting state resources, including the controversial security votes that lack transparency.
Governors often dominate the political landscape in their states, effectively controlling state assemblies and rendering local governments largely ineffective. This dynamic has resulted in many governors operating in an environment resembling a one-party state.
