Prioritize Nat’l Interest Above Personnal Gain- Shehu Sani

Pro-democracy activist and former senator, Shehu Sani, has urged members of the National Assembly to prioritize the country’s interest over personal gain.

Speaking during the opening of the National Assembly Legislative Aides Forum, NASSLAF, week in Abuja, Sani cautioned the National Assembly against diminishing its influence through its actions.

Sani emphasized that a subservient posture by the legislature is not in the country’s best interest, as it can impede good governance and undermine democracy.

Delivering a keynote address on the theme “Sustainable Democracy and Nation Building” Sani praised the 8th Assembly, led by Senator Bukola Saraki, for standing firm against executive overreach.

The former senator expressed concern that the powers of the National Assembly have been eroded over time and warned that the current Assembly risks becoming a “rubber stamp” for the executive, sacrificing its independence and weakening democratic checks and balances.

Highlighting the consequences of Subservience, he noted the instance where heads of MDAs openly challenged Lawmakers during oversight functions, a behavior he said would not have been tolerated in previous assembles.

Sani reminded lawmakers that their primary duty is to serve Nigerians, not the presidency, and emphasized the importance of legislative independence, stating that excessive cooperation with the executive can embolden tyranny.

The former senator also acknowledged the vital role of legislative aides in drafting laws and policies for the country’s governance.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji