Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has said the 10th National Assembly is becoming a shadow of what parliament should be.
Saraki said the current National Assembly is drifting backwards due to faulty leadership.
He accused other arms of government of playing a key role in weakening the current National Assembly.
Saraki stated this in his remarks to mark Nigeria’s 26 years unbroken democracy at the National Assembly yesterday, June 12.
He said the current crop of legislators owed it a duty to make the parliament stronger for future generations.
According to Saraki: “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.
“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.”
Saraki urged leaders to work together towards making the National Assembly a strong institution.
The Peoples Democratic Party chieftain said the National Assembly was established to scrutinize the executive.
He cautioned Nigerians against making the National Assembly helpless and hopeless.
“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 added.
His remark is coming amid accusations that the 10th assembly is a rubber stamp that has leaned completely towards the Federal government.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, had dismissed this, saying NASS enjoys a cordial relationship with the executive.
Adaramodu said the current NASS will rubber stamp things that are in the interest of Nigerians.
