Former Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki has said the National Assembly is gradually becoming a shadow of itself.
Saraki, however, called for a conscious effort to make the legislative institution strong and vibrant.
His remarks were an excerpt from a speech he was to deliver at yesterday’s National Assembly joint session to mark the Democracy Day celebration.
According to him, the programme of events had to be shortened due to time constraints, and he couldn’t make the remarks at the plenary. However, he posted them on his X handle.
In his remarks, Saraki said the primary responsibility for this generation is the sustenance of democracy, adding, however, that it will depend on the strength of the legislature.
However, he said, “Let me now say that except we are here to lie to ourselves, we must acknowledge that the National Assembly is gradually becoming a shadow of what a virile and compelling parliament should be.
“We owe it a duty to those who fought for the present democracy that we have and the future generations of Nigeria that will come after us to make the parliamentary institution stronger and more efficient.
“Today, we seem to be drifting backwards. And we don’t have to go far to find the reason for this sad development. I am convinced that this is not only the fault of the legislature and its leadership. The executive and judiciary have consistently played key roles in undermining and weakening the National Assembly.
“From interference in its choice of leadership, misunderstanding its oversight role, and taking its occasional ‘No’ as being antagonistic, the National Assembly has often come under unwarranted and systemic attack.”
He recounted that the parliament had played a key role at critical periods in the country’s history, including aborting the third-term agenda and doctrine of necessity during the late president’s demise.
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