The business of lawmaking is such a serious undertaking that not only regulates the conduct of individuals within a society, but also crucial for the establishment of a just, orderly and functional society. Imagine what society would be without laws – chaos, confusion and disorderliness would be the order of the day, and nothing meaningful can thrive in such an atmosphere. This is why the foundation of any governance is good legislation.
As an important arm of government, the legislature is a sacred place reserved for the eggheads – men and women who have something meaningful to offer in terms of quality bills, people-friendly motions, robust debates and extensive oversight of the executive. Of course, it is certainly not a place for every Tom, Dick and Harry as we have seen today.
Lo and behold, lawmakers have reduced the process of lawmaking to “a beer parlour discussion” where all manner of irrelevant and frivolous issues are brought forward and discussed at plenary. The National Assembly is becoming a ground for protracted legislative stalling, where a good number of our political elites go and rest instead of making lasting impacts.
Nigerians thought they had seen it all when Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila were piloting the affairs of the Ninth National Assembly under Buhari’s administration. Though previous assemblies in Nigeria might not have lived up to expectations, but we saw some form of independence between the executive and legislature.
But the Tenth National Assembly under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio and Hon. Tajudeen Abbas is indeed worrisome. They have reduced lawmaking to some sort of joke. The way and manner these lawmakers-turned-praise singers go about the business of lawmaking is not only embarrassing but also insulting to our legislative process.
How do you explain that a sitting Senate President came out openly during a meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and moved a motion to return Tinubu for a second term in office, and was immediately seconded by the House Speaker? It is indeed the height of legislative rascality.
From recent happenings, the Tenth National Assembly could be said to be an extension of the executive. The euphoria of being re-elected to the National Assembly has made our lawmakers suddenly forget that as lawmakers, they are not just expected to make laws for the common good of all Nigerians, but also to oversight the executive arm of government as often as possible, point out the leakages and ensure it is properly fixed.
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It is not just worrisome; it is also troublesome that this current National Assembly is not exercising its independence in checkmating the excesses of the executive. This portends a dangerous omen for our democracy. The country is currently bleeding in all fronts and cannot afford to continue on this path for too long.
As an important arm of government, the legislature is so critical to the survival of any democracy and therefore cannot be left in the hands of sycophants and praise singers.
With what we have seen thus far on the floor of both chambers, in terms of lawmaking, motions, debates and oversights, these Tenth National Assembly has performed abysmally poor in all ramifications. A legislature that has abandoned its role and now promoting the agenda of the executive cannot be taken seriously.
It has been said without equivocation that former President Olusejun Obasanjo’s third term agenda would have easily sailed through if Akpabio and Abbas were at the helm of affairs.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan also alluded to the fact that the current crop of lawmakers has not lived up to expectations when it comes to acting decisively and with autonomy.
While speaking at the Champions of Nigerian Content Awards Dinner hosted by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Jonathan recalled his experience as Acting President in 2010 when he signed the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Bill into law. He equally cited the passage of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Act in 2000 as a defining moment of legislative independence, recalling how the National Assembly overrode then-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s refusal to assent to the bill.
“When I was acting President in 2010, and the National Assembly presented the bill, I promptly signed it and we quickly established a monitoring body. Someone like Lee Maeba, the bill’s originator, and his group also deserve recognition. That was a period when the National Assembly truly lived up to its name,” Jonathan pointed out.
When we say praise singers and sycophants, it does not mean that the legislature and executive should always be at loggerheads, but passing everything that comes from the executive, even with speed is certainly not in the interest of the citizens.
On March 17, 2025, leaders of the House of Representatives donated a cheque of N705 million to President Bola Tinubu to support his programme for Nigeria’s vulnerable population. As noble as that gesture might look, we are all aware that it was part of the underground plot and strategy to get re-elected in 2027.
As the tenth National Assembly prepares for its second anniversary next week, have we seen quality legislation thus far? Have they put the welfare and well-being of the people above their personal interests? Have they really exercised their independence and autonomy in overseeing the executive?
Recall that shortly after its inauguration on June 13, 2023, Senator Akpabio promised that the Senate under his watch would formulate laws for the well-being of all Nigerians and provide efficient oversight functions to the executive arm of the government. According to him, “It is time now to go forward with the task set before us as a collective body – the promulgation of laws and enactments for the well-being and security of the country and as a check on the executive arm of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in our oversight functions. Together, we shall reach and surpass the expectations of the Nigerian people regarding us and our roles in building a better, safer, more inclusive, prosperous, efficient, and ethical country.
“In all matters of national interest, we are enjoined to remember that we are first and foremost, distinguished senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, before our roles as representatives and members of our political parties. There is every reason to support good policies and programmes of the Federal Government, and I call on you to put this national interest first at all times. Our Senate will be a Senate for all of Nigeria. Together, we shall be greater than the sum of our political parties.”
Prominent figures like Sen Rabiu Kwankwaso and Dele Momodu have labelled the Tenth National Assembly as a “rubber stamp”. Some have even described the current legislature as an extension of the executive, and kowtowing to anything thrown at them by President Tinubu.
Describing the Tenth National Assembly as ‘Rubber Stamp’, Rabiu Kwankwaso, the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), criticised the National Assembly for voting in support of the unilateral suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Kwankwaso, who represented Kano Central Senatorial District in the Eighth Senate, said Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas-led National Assembly should have reverted to President Tinubu’s misdeed on the political crisis rocking Rivers, but decided to vote in support of the illegal decision of the president.
But the Senate leader has dismissed the idea that the Tenth National Assembly is a rubber stamp and said there was no justification for the tag ‘rubber-stamp parliament’ and accused the NASS of subordinating itself to President Tinubu. Senator Bamidele cited the rigorous process and what he called the strategic engagement of Nigerians before the passage of the controversial Tax Reform Bills to fault the claim.
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“If we are actually a rubber-stamp parliamentary institution, as most opposition political parties have claimed, the bills would have been passed within one week or two weeks after they were laid before us. In the process of passing the bills, both executive and legislative arms held over 39 engagements to trash grey areas in the Tax Reform Bills, 2024, before both chambers of the National Assembly eventually passed the bills.
“During this period, the engagements involved diverse interests and stakeholders across the federation. The tax reform bills could have been rushed within one or two weeks. But it took us six months to secure input from all critical stakeholders – civil society organisations, professional bodies, religious leaders and leaders of thought. The process includes all behind-the-scenes efforts, closed-door meetings and subtle disagreements that took place between the legislature and the executive before their passage. We also organised public hearings just to accommodate inputs from diverse interests.
“We extended our engagements to all captains of industries to enable us to pass the tax reform bills that will stand the test of time, meet the needs of our people and ensure the overriding public interest in the exercise of our constitutional mandates. At the end of it, we found a way of resolving all issues around the tax reform bills in the overriding public interest. But people do not know all the efforts and sacrifices we made to ensure the effective delivery of public goods. They were only eager to label us a rubber stamp when the bills came from the executive.”
In fact, the way and manner, the lawmakers expressly approved the state of emergency in Rivers State still left many in shock. The unanimous ratification of President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State did not go down well with Nigerians. The memories will sure linger for years!
Moreover, the controversial bill on compulsory voting, introduced by House Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, was quickly withdrawn following a deluge of criticism and condemnation. He said he was withdrawing the bill following extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders. What Nigerians need now is not a bill that will compel them to vote, even when they know that their votes will not count. Nigerians need bills that will put food on their table, create jobs, provide security and enhance their socio-economic wellbeing. What Nigerians need is for our lawmakers to demonstrate that same level of independence and diligence its brought onboard during the scrutiny of the 2024 Tax Reform Bills.
Therefore, as the Tenth National Assembly prepares for its second anniversary, lawmakers should desist from playing to the gallery, knowing full well that their actions and inactions can impact negatively on Nigeria and Nigerians. It needs to be reiterated that they were elected to make laws that would enhance the good and well-being of the people. Doing otherwise will only destroy whatever remains of legislative integrity in Nigeria
Furthermore, what played out during the Akpabio/Natasha altercation was nothing short of legislative absurdity. Our lawmakers should learn to conduct themselves in a distinguished manner.
The tenth National Assembly has been described as “a bunch of lawmakers who possess no spine to resist executive pressures.” Rather than pass critical bills, national and state assembly members are preoccupied with retaining their seats in 2027. The current lawmakers still have two years to inch their names in history by prioritising strategic engagement and constructive dialogue in addressing complex national issues.
Lawmakers, as representatives of the people, are indeed saddled with the constitutional responsibility of making laws while exercising their oversight functions. They should always exercise their autonomy, authority and independence when the need arises.
