Former Senator Shehu Sani has warned the National Assembly to be cautious about actions that could diminish its influence.
Speaking at the inauguration of the National Assembly Legislative Aides’ Forum (NASSLAF) Week in Abuja on Tuesday, Sani emphasized the importance of legislators fully embracing their responsibilities for the betterment of the nation.
He highlighted that a submissive approach by the legislature could hinder effective governance and jeopardize democratic principles.
Drawing a comparison between the current assembly and the Eighth Assembly, which was led by Senator Bukola Saraki, Sani commended the Eighth Assembly for its resilience in resisting executive overreach.
He expressed concern over the apparent erosion of the National Assembly’s powers over time. “During our tenure, it was unimaginable for heads of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to disregard our summons. They recognized the significance of our oversight role,” he remarked.
Sani cautioned that the current assembly risks becoming merely a “rubber stamp” for the executive branch, thus compromising its independence and weakening essential democratic checks and balances.
He urged lawmakers to prioritize their constitutional duties over personal interests, stating, “This institution deserves respect. If you allow yourselves to become mere puppets, that respect will vanish. Our era fought for legislative independence, and it came with its own challenges.”
The former senator pointed out that their commitment to integrity sometimes resulted in strained relations with the executive, leading to delays in legislation. He warned against excessive collaboration, which could foster tyranny.
Sani recounted instances where heads of MDAs openly defied lawmakers during oversight sessions, a behavior that would have been unacceptable in previous assemblies.
“The Senate President must ensure that all nominees for appointments and executive proposals are thoroughly scrutinized. This is not a venue for automatic approvals,” he asserted.
He reminded legislators that their foremost obligation is to serve the Nigerian populace, not merely the presidency.
Additionally, Sani recognized the crucial yet often overlooked contributions of legislative aides, describing them as the backbone of the legislature and pivotal in formulating laws and policies for effective governance.
