Shehu Sani, a former senator and vocal advocate for democracy, has issued a stern warning to members of the National Assembly.
Speaking at the National Assembly Legislative Aides’ Forum (NASSLAF) Week on Tuesday in Abuja, Sani reminded lawmakers that their primary duty is to serve the Nigerian people, not the presidency.
The former senator expressed concerns about the legislature losing its independence and becoming overly submissive to the executive arm of government.
According to him, such behavior undermines democracy and weakens the nation’s system of checks and balances.
“The National Assembly must prioritize the people’s interest,” Sani declared.
He cautioned lawmakers against allowing personal or political gains to take precedence over their constitutional responsibilities.
Sani compared the current assembly with the Eighth National Assembly, led by Senator Bukola Saraki.
He praised the Saraki-led assembly for resisting undue influence from the executive and maintaining its legislative independence.
“In our time, it was unthinkable for heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to ignore our summons,” Sani said.
He lamented the current trend, where heads of MDAs reportedly challenge lawmakers and disregard oversight functions.
“This institution needs respect,” Sani continued. “If you turn yourselves into stooges, you will lose that respect.”
He urged lawmakers to avoid becoming a “rubber stamp” for the executive, warning that excessive cooperation could breed tyranny.
Sani highlighted the risks of prioritizing personal benefits over the nation’s welfare.
“The price of independence is sometimes a frosty relationship with the executive,” he admitted.
During his time in the Eighth Assembly, Sani recalled instances where their insistence on doing the right thing delayed the passage of bills.
However, he argued that such delays were necessary to uphold the principles of good governance and legislative integrity.
“The Senate President must ensure that nominees for appointments and executive proposals undergo serious scrutiny,” Sani emphasized.
“This is not a place for automatic approvals,” he added, calling for rigorous evaluation of all executive submissions.
Sani’s comments also touched on the critical roles played by legislative aides in the smooth running of the National Assembly.
He described these aides as the backbone of the legislature, acknowledging their efforts in drafting laws and shaping policies for Nigeria’s governance.
While reflecting on the challenges faced by the Eighth Assembly, Sani said their firm stance came at a significant cost.
“Our era defended legislative independence, but it wasn’t without sacrifices,” he remarked.
Sani warned that the consequences of a weak legislature could be dire for the country’s democracy.
“When the National Assembly becomes too cooperative with the executive, it is dangerous,” he explained.
He encouraged lawmakers to prioritize their oversight functions and resist external pressure to compromise their constitutional roles.
The forum provided a platform for Sani to speak directly to legislative aides and lawmakers about the importance of preserving the dignity of the National Assembly.
His remarks drew attention to the broader issues of governance and accountability in Nigeria’s democratic system.
As debates over the independence of the legislature continue, Sani’s warnings serve as a call to action for lawmakers to uphold their responsibilities to the Nigerian people.
The former senator’s message was clear: legislative independence is essential to a thriving democracy, and the National Assembly must not shy away from its duties.
“Your loyalty should be to the people who elected you, not the presidency,” Sani concluded.
This call for a stronger and more independent National Assembly resonates with many Nigerians who hope for better governance and accountability in the country.