Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has said that any legislature that lacks the courage to challenge the executive arm of government has failed in its constitutional duty and remains irrelevant to the democratic process.
Saraki made the remarks on Friday during the June 12, 2026 edition of The Platform, a public affairs programme aired on Channels Television to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration.
Speaking on the role of democratic institutions in nation-building, the former Senate President stressed that the National Assembly must remain independent and perform its oversight functions without fear or favour.
According to him, a parliament that merely receives proposals from the executive, approves them without proper scrutiny and returns home cannot claim to be serving the interests of the people.
“So, what I learned in those four years in the National Assembly as Senate President is that a legislature that cannot say no is not a legislature at all,” Saraki said.
“A legislature which simply receives, accepts proposals, approves them without scrutiny, and goes home, has not fulfilled its constitutional mandate.”
His comments come amid increasing public debate over the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government in Nigeria, with critics often accusing lawmakers of acting as a rubber stamp for those in power.
Saraki, who served as Senate President from 2015 to 2019, said the independence of the legislature should not be mistaken for hostility towards the government of the day.
He argued that disagreement between both arms of government, when done within constitutional limits, strengthens democracy rather than weakens it.
“The independence of the National Assembly is not rebellion against the government of the day. I say that so loud, having been a victim,” he said.
Without going into details, Saraki’s reference to being “a victim” appeared to recall the often tense relationship between the leadership of the Eighth National Assembly and the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
During his tenure as Senate President, Saraki frequently clashed with the executive over appointments, legislative priorities and issues relating to the autonomy of the parliament.
The Eighth National Assembly was widely regarded as one of the most independent legislative assemblies in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. While supporters praised it for defending the principle of separation of powers, critics accused it of unnecessarily delaying some executive initiatives.
Saraki, however, insisted that legislative independence remains essential for democratic governance.
According to him, the National Assembly serves as a platform where people from different ethnic, religious and political backgrounds can debate national issues peacefully without threatening the unity of the country.
He noted that parliament offers citizens representation and creates an avenue for disagreements to be resolved through dialogue rather than conflict.
“The parliament provides an arena where a divided country can argue without breaking, regardless of where one comes from,” he stated.
The former governor of Kwara State further explained that one of the legislature’s most important responsibilities is to test and examine executive decisions before they become national policies.
He said government actions gain greater legitimacy when subjected to scrutiny by an independent parliament.
“We’re talking about how those institutions can do what they are meant to do in providing the mandate, because if the National Assembly is independent, it’s a very great thing that makes the government legitimate,” he said.
“A mandate that is never tested is a mandate that no one can trust.”
Saraki’s comments formed part of broader discussions on Nigeria’s democratic journey as the country marked Democracy Day.
The election is often described as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll and has become a symbol of the country’s struggle against military rule and the quest for democratic governance.
Since former President Muhammadu Buhari officially shifted Democracy Day celebrations from May 29 to June 12 in 2018, the occasion has provided Nigerians with an opportunity to reflect on the progress, achievements and shortcomings of the nation’s democracy.
The principle of separation of powers remains one of the cornerstones of democratic government.
Under Nigeria’s Constitution, power is shared among the executive, legislature and judiciary to ensure that no arm of government becomes too powerful.
The National Assembly, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, is responsible for making laws, approving budgets, confirming certain appointments and exercising oversight over the activities of the executive.
As Nigeria continues its democratic journey, the former Senate President maintained that strengthening institutions remains critical to ensuring good governance, protecting citizens’ interests and preserving public trust.
His message on Democracy Day was clear: a legislature that cannot question, scrutinise and, when necessary, say no to the executive cannot truly claim to represent the people or safeguard democracy.