Shehu Sani urges Lawmakers to avoid being executive’s rubber stamp

Shehu Sani, a former member who served in the Kaduna Central senatorial constituency, has cautioned the National Assembly from letting its actions weaken its power.

Speaking at the commencement of the National Assembly Legislative Aides’ Forum, or NASSLAF, Week on Tuesday in Abuja, Sani offered the counsel.

For the benefit of the nation, the pro-democracy activist also exhorted the lawmakers to charitably do their duties.
He asserts that the legislature’s submissive stance is detrimental to the nation and warns that it can sabotage democracy and good government.

Sani praised the Eighth Assembly, which is led by Sen. Bukola Saraki, for resisting the executive’s overreach and contrasted it to the present National Assembly.

He noted with dismay that the National Assembly’s authority seemed to be eroding with time.

“It was unimaginable in our day for MDA chiefs to disregard our call. They recognized the seriousness of our supervisory duties,” he stated.

Sani cautioned that the present Assembly ran the risk of losing its independence and eroding democratic checks and balances by acting as a “rubber stamp” for the executive.

Therefore, he warned the MPs not to put their own interests before of their constitutional obligations.

“Respect is required for this institution. You will no longer be respected if you become stooges. Legislative independence was protected during our time, but it came at a price, he noted.

The former senator added that their commitment on doing the right thing led to strained ties with the government and delayed the passage of bills. He cautioned that too much cooperation was risky because it may lead to dictatorship.

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Sani mentioned cases in which MDA leaders publicly questioned parliamentarians while performing oversight duties, a practice that he claimed earlier assemblies would not have accepted.

“The Senate President is responsible for making sure that executive initiatives and appointment candidates are thoroughly examined. “Automated approval is not appropriate here,” he said.

Sani reminded the MPs that serving Nigerians, not the president, was their top priority.

Sani also recognized the crucial but frequently disregarded contributions of legislative assistants, characterizing them as the backbone of the legislature and their role in creating laws and policies that govern the nation.