Lukman Criticizes Current National Assembly for Failing Nigerians

 

Salihu Lukman, former National Vice Chairman (North-west) of APC

Salihu Lukman, former National Vice Chairman (North-west) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has expressed concern that the current National Assembly is not adequately representing the interests of Nigerians.

Accountability Issues in the National Assembly

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Lukman highlighted a significant challenge within Nigeria’s democracy: both chambers of the National Assembly—the Senate and the House of Representatives—are primarily accountable to themselves rather than the public. He pointed out that the Public Accounts Committees in both chambers are responsible for overseeing the management of funds allocated to the National Assembly. However, Lukman emphasized that these committees have failed to fulfill their duties effectively.

Loss of Moral Authority

Lukman argued that this accountability gap has resulted in the National Assembly losing the moral authority to regulate the executive branch's conduct. He claimed that the current dynamics make the Assembly and its members function almost as employees of the executive arm, under the mercy of the President and executive members.

He elaborated, “Using all these incentives, the President and members of the Executive arm seamlessly turned on the ‘gaslight,’ which leaves members with no option but to believe and approve every proposal submitted even when they are injurious to public interests. Having served as the machinery that hurt the people, they become liabilities and therefore eventually got discarded.”

Call for Independence

Lukman emphasized that Nigerian democracy is not functioning in the citizens' best interests largely because the National Assembly has involuntarily submitted to the president's control. He called for the parliament to regain its independence to effectively defend and protect Nigerians' interests.

He concluded, “Until and unless the parliament can free itself from the president, it will almost be impossible for it to develop the capacity of defending and protecting the interests of Nigerians.”