Legislative independence is vital for democracy, as it ensures accountability and prevents the concentration of power in one arm of government.
The National Assembly’s role in providing checks and balances on the executive arm is also said to be crucial for democratic governance. According to this school of thought, it is the pedestal on which every democratic government rest and how well the legislature plays its role as a watchdog over the executive determines how well the people will enjoy the dividends of democracy.
This perhaps explains why Nigerians are beginning to ask if Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio is for national interest or political allegiance?
Daily Sun gathered that when lawmakers prioritise loyalty to whatever force over their oversight duties, it could lead to a lack of accountability and transparency in government operations.
The loyalty of lawmakers to the executive, Daily Sun further learnt, can have far-reaching implications for national interest and development, leading to the misallocation of resources, corruption, and poor governance.
To maintain the integrity of the legislative process in Nigeria, analysts argued, it is essential for lawmakers to maintain a delicate balance between cooperation with the executive arm and the need to hold the administration accountable for its action, especially at this time that Nigeria is navigating through the challenges of rebuilding its economy and infrastructure.
They further contend that lawmakers must prioritise their constitutional duties over loyalty to the executive, ensuring that the administration’s actions align with national interest and development goals.
However, events of the recent past appears to portray the Senator Godswill Akpabio-led 10th Senate, as one that cannot be said to be doing much in marking out the line that clearly demarcates the legislature from the executive.
“What is apparent though, is the fact that we now have a praise-singing arm of government that is doing a much better job than President Bola Tinubu’s media team,” one of the lawmakers said.
At a joint session of the National Assembly, during the 2025 budget presentation, the legislators looked anything but serious about the business at hand. They were more concerned about the banters, the jokes and openly pledging allegiance to President Tinubu with the ‘’on your mandate we shall stand,” mantra.
On the said day, Daily Sun observed that the lawmakers’ conduct clearly raised questions about the implications of their loyalty to the executive of their oversight functions.
And Nigerians, including members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not spare the lawmakers for chorusing the famous President Tinubu’s solidarity song, saying it was disgraceful and shameful for the Senators and members of the House of Representatives to reduce themselves into “yes men and women.”
Leading the pack of angry Nigerians over the development is the Interim National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, who described the incident as a “show of shame.”
He noted that “what you saw on the floor on Wednesday is what you get when you are trying to authenticate a mandate that is unpopular and unacceptable to the generality of Nigerians. It is a show of shame. This particular mandate is not acceptable to the majority of Nigerians. If the mandate is what Nigerians are happy about, they will sing it. It is unfortunate that our lawmakers have turned themselves to yes men and women,” Tanko added.
The National Financial Secretary, National Rescue Movement (NRM), Rev. Emmanuel Olorunmagba, also reacted angrily to the development, saying, “It’s so sad and disgraceful watching Members of our National Assembly at the presentation of the 2025 budget, singing ‘on your mandate, we shall stand,’ a popular political lyric associated with the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), usually used by the supporters of President Bola Tinubu to express solidarity and unalloyed loyalty to him (President Tinubu).
“Seeing the footage, I had to watch it over and over to be sure that what I was seeing and hearing was true. Seriously, the questions that keep coming up is, if the legislative arm is truly independent and really performing the role of check and balance or mere rubber stamp. Obviously, this alone has made some people that still have little hope in the National Assembly to lose hope completely.
“Let’s even assume that they are mere rubber stamp as alleged by some people who are disappointed in them already, must they clearly express such by chanting political lyric like nursery school pupils reciting their nursery rhymes to hail a teacher they intend to get undeserved favour from?”.
On his part, the spokesperson of Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Abdullazeez Suleiman said the lawmakers appear to be reaffirming their allegiance and loyalty to President Tinubu, suggesting a prioritisation of party loyalty over national duty.
“On a day that should have been marked by solemnity and unity, it was unexpected that the National Assembly, instead of the traditional National Anthem, decided to sing ‘On your mandate we shall stand.’ This decision, seemingly innocuous at first glance, invites a deeper exploration of its implications on national identity, political culture, and the evolving relationship between elected officials and the constituents they represent.
“The National Anthem, steeped in history and national pride, symbolises the collective aspirations and values of a nation. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made for freedom and unity, echoing the sentiments of patriotism that bind citizens together. By opting to sing a song that emphasises personal allegiance to a leader rather than the nation itself, lawmakers may have inadvertently signalled a shift in the political landscape. This departure from tradition raises questions about the evolving nature of loyalty—whether it lies with the state or with individual political figures,” the NEF spokesperson said.
Also speaking in this same vein, immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, noted that it was shameful for lawmakers to have acted in the manner they did, insisting that by that singular action they have failed the country’s democracy.
“It is shameful. We even heard that lawmakers were given Tinubu’s logo to wear on their dresses. The current leadership of the National Assembly is failing our democracy and it is unfortunate,” Ologbondiyan said.
Also speaking, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadalor , berated the lawmakers for singing President Bola Tinubu ‘s hype song ‘On Your Mandate, we shall stand’ in the parliament during the presentation of the 2025 budget estimates.
The youth leader, while dismissing the budget as” a sick joke,” expressed dismay that federal lawmakers, whose duty it is to interrogate the Appropriation Bill are championing sycophancy inside the chamber.
He noted that “those guys at best should be in the choir of a church or a music industry, rather than be in a revered and sacred place like the hallowed chamber of the National Assembly.
“The truth is that governance and sycophancy are so intertwined in our clime that you can’t separate them. How can members that are supposed to be Distinguished or members that are supposed to be sound and interpreters of our constitution be the ones championing sycophancy at the hallowed chamber.
“The budget itself is a sick joke. Those saddled with the responsibility of reviewing the budget, you have seen the kind of persons they are. So, what can you expect from such people? Nigerians should know that this budget is a deception.”
As President Tinubu presented the 2025 budget, themed ‘Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,’ it was further observed that Akpabio’s supportive stance was evident. While this may indicate a sense of cooperation between the legislative and executive arms, it also raises concerns about the potential erosion of the National Assembly’s independence. His loyalty to Tinubu and his administration’s agenda may be seen as a strategic move to advance the president’s goals. But this raises questions about the potential consequences for national interest and development because as the Senate President, Akpabio’s role is crucial in ensuring that the legislature exercises its oversight functions effectively.
Anyone who is familiar with his emergence as Senate President know that President Tinubu played a pivotal role in his victory. Tinubu’s political machinery mobilised support for him over other contenders. But critics have argued that this should not overshadow his constitutional duty to represent the collective interests of Nigerians.
In his acceptance speech, Akpabio expressed gratitude to Tinubu, stating, “Mr. President, your unwavering support will not be forgotten.” Such statements have fueled speculation that the Senate, under his watch, may function more as an extension of the executive than as a check on it. And interestingly, this has been evident so far, Daily Sun investigations further reveal.
For instance, the approval of President Tinubu’s ministerial nominees, some of whom faced allegations of corruption, was seen as a mere formality rather than a rigorous process. This raised questions about whether the Senate was acting in the interest of Nigerians or fulfilling a political obligation.
Akpabio’s approach to subsidy removal further underscores this concern. While the removal of fuel subsidies is a contentious issue, Akpabio’s Senate expedited its approval without adequately addressing the socioeconomic impact on ordinary Nigerians.
A senator who opposed the policy remarked, “This chamber is fast becoming a rubber stamp for the executive.” This comment reflects growing dissatisfaction within the legislature and among the public.
Moreover, the swift passage of President Tinubu’s supplementary budget, despite concerns about rising debt levels, has added to these criticisms. Economists and civil society organisations have warned that unchecked borrowing could jeopardize Nigeria’s economic stability. Yet, Senator Akpabio defended the approval, stating, “we trust the president’s vision for economic recovery.” This uncritical stance contrasts sharply with the Senate’s constitutional role as a guardian of public resources. Same goes for loan request approvals, the new national anthem and others.
Akpabio’s loyalty to President Tinubu, it was further learnt, has also manifested in the suppression of dissenting voices within the Senate, as Senators critical of the president’s policies have reportedly faced marginalisation in committee assignments.
‘Such practices undermine democratic principles and discourage robust debate on national issues,” a notable senator lamented.
The Senator further said “This Senate is no longer a place for diverse views; it’s an echo chamber for the executive.”
Akpabio’s critics argue that his allegiance to Tinubu stems from a desire to consolidate political power. By aligning with the executive, Akpabio secures Tinubu’s backing for future ambitions, whatever they are.
Analysts believe that this approach contradicts the ethos of public service and erodes trust in the Senate.
Nevertheless, there are other analysts who argue that Senator Akpabio’s collaboration with Tinubu promotes policy coherence and expedites governance. They contend that excessive friction between the executive and legislative arms could stall critical reforms.
Akpabio himself has justified his actions, stating, “my priority is to support the president in delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians.”
However, comparisons have been drawn between Akpabio’s Senate and previous administrations where legislative leaders maintained a degree of independence. Those who hold this view are quick to recall the leadership of Senator Bukola Saraki and his House of Representatives counterpart, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, who for instance, often challenged executive overreach, earning public respect.
In contrast, Akpabio’s Senate appears to be perceived as overly deferential, with critics branding it “a rubber-stamp legislature.”
“The implications of Akpabio’s loyalty to Tinubu are profound. By prioritising personal and political ties over national interests, he risks undermining the Senate’s credibility and weakening Nigeria’s democracy. The legislature’s role as a watchdog and advocate for the people cannot be overemphasised. Failure to fulfill this role jeopardises public confidence in governance.
“Akpabio’s alignment with Tinubu may facilitate short-term political gains, it poses long-term risks to Nigeria’s democratic institutions. The Senate must reclaim its independence to effectively address the needs of Nigerians,” another lawmaker said.
As one analyst aptly put it, “The survival of democracy depends on a legislature that serves the people, not the presidency.”
Quote:
“Akpabio’s alignment with Tinubu may facilitate short-term political gains, it poses long-term risks to Nigeria’s democratic institutions. The Senate must reclaim its independence to effectively address the needs of Nigerians.”
Wale Soji