Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for choosing the National Assembly as the venue for the 2024 Democracy Day celebration, describing the gesture as a powerful message of respect for Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Speaking at the joint session of the 10th National Assembly on Wednesday, Saraki said Tinubu’s decision to celebrate Democracy Day inside the chambers of the parliament, instead of more traditional locations like Aso Rock or Eagle Square, showed deep recognition for the role of the legislature in sustaining democracy.
“This symbolic action speaks volumes,” Saraki stated in a speech he had prepared for the occasion but could not fully deliver due to time limitations. “Among the three arms of government, it is the parliament that best represents democracy. Today’s gathering confirms that the legislature is the bedrock of our democratic system.”
Saraki, who served as Senate President from 2015 to 2019, used the opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s 26 years of uninterrupted democracy and the importance of preserving and strengthening democratic institutions.
He also touched on a personal matter, revealing that his official portrait was missing from the Senate Gallery that honours former presiding officers for four years. He said the portrait was only recently added, thanks to the current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
“I thank my good friend, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for that,” Saraki said. “But in the spirit of parliamentary culture, this does not mean we cannot still disagree on more issues in the future.”
In his remarks, Saraki congratulated Nigerians for their resilience in upholding democracy over the past 26 years and paid tribute to the heroes who fought to end military rule.
He acknowledged both known political figures and unknown protesters who paid the ultimate price in the struggle for democracy. “From those who lost their lives to those who lost their livelihoods, we remember them all today. May Almighty God bless their souls,” he said.
Saraki stressed the importance of not only celebrating past heroes but also commending those currently working to protect and sustain Nigeria’s democratic values.
Saraki listed several key moments in Nigeria’s recent history when the National Assembly played a critical role in defending democracy. He highlighted:
-The resistance to truncating civil rule in 1993 by the National Assembly during the aborted Third Republic.
– The rejection of the third-term agenda during the Fifth Assembly.
– The adoption of the “Doctrine of Necessity” by the Sixth Assembly to resolve a constitutional crisis in 2010.
– The firm stance of the Eighth Assembly—under his leadership—against executive overreach.
He noted that these moments showed the strength of the legislature when it acts in unity and in defence of democratic principles.
However, Saraki warned that the current state of the National Assembly is a cause for concern.
“Let us not deceive ourselves. The National Assembly is gradually becoming a shadow of what a vibrant and effective parliament should be,” he said. “We owe it to the heroes of our democracy and to future generations to build a stronger institution.”
Saraki did not place blame solely on the lawmakers. He pointed to what he described as continued interference by the executive and judiciary, which he said has weakened the independence and authority of the National Assembly.
“From interfering in leadership selection to misunderstanding the role of legislative oversight, the National Assembly has come under constant attack,” he noted.
Saraki called on all arms of government to respect the constitutional roles assigned to the legislature and to see its oversight role not as opposition, but as part of healthy democratic checks and balances.
Saraki made a passionate call for reforms that would make the National Assembly more inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people.
He urged lawmakers to be more open to hearing public views—whether positive or negative—warning that if people cannot find hope in their representatives, they may take to the streets, which he said could endanger democracy.
He also highlighted the importance of multi-party representation in the legislature, saying that opposition voices must be allowed to contribute meaningfully.
“In a true democracy, the majority may have their way, but the minority must have their say,” he said. “That is what gives strength to our system.”
Looking ahead, Saraki emphasized the need to increase the participation of young people and women in parliamentary politics. He praised the passage of the “Not Too Young To Run” law and called for further measures to ensure more inclusive representation.
“As we look to the next 26 years, we must do more to open up this institution to our youth and our women,” he said.
Saraki ended his remarks by thanking the leadership of the 10th National Assembly for inviting him to speak, despite being a member of the opposition party.
“At another time, this invitation may have been blocked, depending on the body language of the President,” he joked. “But today, I am here. And that’s a good sign.”
His address was one of the highlights of the Democracy Day celebration at the National Assembly, which featured speeches from key political figures, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Akpabio, and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
