Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has accused the National Assembly of becoming a “shadow of what a virile and effective parliament should be.”
Saraki, however, appealed to the members of the National Assembly of the need to consciously work hard to make this institution strong and vibrant.
Sen. Saraki who stated these in an address meant to been delivered at a joint session of the National Assembly to mark the Democracy Day, said “We all need to realise that by its nature, its role and character, the parliament is created to say the truth to power and scrutinize what the executive is doing.”
According to him, “Let me now say that except we are here to lie to ourselves, we must acknowledge the fact that the National Assembly is gradually becoming a shadow of what a virile and effective 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.
“I want to make a strong appeal to all of us that we need to consciously work hard to make this institution strong and vibrant. We all need to realise that by its nature, its role and character, the parliament is created to say the truth to power and scrutinize what the executive is doing.
“Sometimes, it will agree with the executive actions and proposals. Other times, it may disagree. One good thing is that its agreement or disagreement should always be in the protection of national interest not that of personal or partisan interest.
“The National Assembly should continue to be open to the people who have grievances or opinions on issues to ventilate their views, whether rational, irrational, positive, or sometimes, negative. One of the tenets of democracy is the multiplicity of opinions, freely expressed.
“If the National Assembly is made helpless and hopeless to the extent that the people cannot find succour there, then they will be left with no option but to run to the streets. And this is dangerous for our democracy.”
He further maintained that the major responsibility for our generation is the sustenance of democracy and this would depend on how strong the legislature is made, adding that if the nation must continue to reinforce democracy, the institution of Parliament must also be strengthened.
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