SENATE REJECTS ‘SUBSERVIENCE’ LABEL, DENIES RUBBER-STAMPING TINUBU’S POLICIES
The Nigerian Senate has firmly rejected claims that the National Assembly is subservient to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying that it engages with the executive through principled dialogue and not blind loyalty. Senate Spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu, in a statement issued Tuesday, refuted accusations made by Pastor Tunde Bakare, who recently criticised the legislature as the “most ineffective” since 1999.
Bakare, in his Easter message and national broadcast, had described the 10th Assembly as merely an extension of the presidency, citing its swift approval of emergency rule in Rivers State and its handling of sexual misconduct allegations against Senate President Godswill Akpabio as key examples.
But Adaramodu defended the legislature’s record, arguing that effective governance does not require “performative hostility.” He pointed to past instances where the Assembly disagreed with the executive, including over the proclamation of emergency rule in Rivers. However, that specific claim was fact-checked and found to be misleading, as the Senate unanimously approved the emergency resolution on March 20 without any formal opposition during plenary.
The Senate also addressed insinuations of a covert third term agenda, declaring that no such unconstitutional bill had ever been introduced to the 10th Assembly. “It’s noteworthy that the executive has never brought any unconstitutional agenda before us, like the infamous third term bid,” Adaramodu stated.
He accused Bakare of making politically motivated or ideologically biased remarks, noting that the cleric had previously criticised earlier Assemblies he now praises. “We are confident that in time, Pastor Bakare will come to appreciate the work of the 10th Assembly,” he added.
The Senate reiterated its openness to constructive dialogue with all Nigerians, urging critics to base their arguments on facts and national responsibility rather than divisive rhetoric.
