society
THE RUBBER STAMP REPUBLIC: How Akpabio’s Senate Is Risking Nigeria’s Constitutional Balance and Why Adams Oshiomhole’s Rebuke Matters
THE RUBBER STAMP REPUBLIC:
How Akpabio’s Senate Is Risking Nigeria’s Constitutional Balance and Why Adams Oshiomhole’s Rebuke Matters.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
There are moments when a single sentence on the floor of the Senate does more than scold; it indicts. When Senator Adams Oshiomhole (a former national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress and a man familiar with the corridors of power) rose to tell the Senate, “I am not a rubber-stamp senator,” he did not merely defend his dignity. He tore at the gossamer veil that has been draped over the relationship between Nigeria’s legislature and the executive: a relationship fast drifting from healthy cooperation into dangerous subservience. Oshiomhole’s public rebuke of Senate President Godswill Akpabio is not theatre. It is a red flag; one that deserves urgent national attention.
The charge is simple, brutal and constitutional in its implications: bills are being “PASSED LIKE WATER,” rushed through without meaningful scrutiny, with little or no recorded debate on their merits, implications or fiscal consequences. Where the National Assembly was designed by the 1999 Constitution to act as a check on the executive (to scrutinize appointments, investigate maladministration, examine budgets and secure accountability) the spectacle of rapid, transactional lawmaking substitutes speed for substance and convenience for duty. In recent weeks and months Nigerians have watched executive proposals and packages move through the chambers with unusual haste; critics argue this pattern has become more frequent under the leadership of the 10th Senate.
Senate President Akpabio has predictably pushed back. He insists the National Assembly is not a “RUBBER STAMP” and that collaboration with the executive is not the same as capitulation; he has argued that co-operation, when properly managed, produces results for citizens. That defence matters (the legislature is not, and must not become, an adversary of reform for its own sake) but rhetoric cannot substitute for records. When the public sees an avalanche of bills moving in lockstep with executive timetables, and when senior senators themselves stand and object to the process, the perception of erosion becomes a political reality.
Why does this matter beyond partisan point-scoring? Because the health of Nigeria’s democracy depends on functional checks and balances. A rubber-stamp legislature undermines three critical safeguards: oversight of the executive, the protection of minority interests and the rigorous vetting of appointments and policies that affect billions of naira and the lives of millions. Scholars who study legislatures warn that when parliaments abdicate oversight, governance becomes less transparent and more corruptible; policy errors are more likely to persist because there is no robust forum to challenge assumptions or demand evidence. The literature on “rubber-stamp” legislatures (including detailed academic reviews of the National Assembly’s oversight function) shows that weak oversight is not merely a political embarrassment, it has real consequences for accountability, public finance and security.
Look at the facts on the ground. Over the past year the National Assembly has entertained sweeping constitutional amendment packages and a rolling procession of executive bills that critics say were given hurried consideration. Independent media tracking and civil-society guides to legislative oversight have documented that while committees sometimes perform their duties, plenary sessions (where the public record is made) show a worrying willingness to clear matters rapidly without full debate. The result: citizens and civil society are deprived of the opportunity to interrogate policy choices and to hold lawmakers to account. That is not democratic oversight; it is managerial convenience.
Oshiomhole’s rebuke also carries an internal sting: it came from within the governing party. When a senior party stalwart publicly accuses the chamber led by his party colleague of turning itself into a rubber stamp, it suggests fracture lines; not merely disagreements about procedure, but tensions over the very independence of the legislative arm. The symbolism is stark: if the Senate bows too readily to the executive, party structures will likewise be perceived as instruments of consolidation rather than forums of democratic contestation. That perception corrodes public trust in all institutions.
What must be done? First, the Senate must publish and enforce rules that guarantee adequate time for debate, full committee scrutiny and public input before any bill is read into law. Transparency is an antiseptic to slippage into clientelism. Second, senators should restore the practice of substantive plenary debate; not performative monologues, but documented interrogations that place ministers, appointees and policy proposals under the public microscope. Third, civil society, the media and professional bodies must keep score: regular, public scorecards on committee activity, attendance, report adoption and oversight visits will create an objective record that citizens can use to demand standards. Finally, the executive must accept that leadership in a presidential democracy is not the same as unchecked rule; genuine partnership respects institutional autonomy. Useful models and guides already exist (from local think-tanks and international parliamentary practice) on how oversight is supposed to work.
The warning signs are not hypothetical. Case studies from across Nigeria’s recent history show that when legislatures fail to exercise oversight, poor contracting, budget padding and unchecked patronage follow. A strong, independent National Assembly is the single best institutional hedge against the centralisation of power and the decay of public finance. Conversely, a legislature that feeds at the table of the executive without asking inconvenient questions accelerates governance failure. The stakes are national: budgets, appointments, security strategy and the integrity of electoral laws. A rubber-stamp Senate is not a political curiosity; it is institutional rot.
This editorial is not naive about the real-world politics of governing. Cooperation between the arms of government is necessary. But co-operation must be distinct from acquiescence. When senior members of the Senate (elected to represent diverse constituencies and to protect the public purse) declare themselves unwilling to be mere endorsers of executive will, the chamber should welcome that spirit as a reminder of its constitutional duty, not punish it as inconvenient dissent. Oshiomhole’s words should have been a summons to conscience, not a flashpoint.
In the end, the choice facing Nigeria’s lawmakers is straightforward: to be guardians of the constitution or to be managers of the president’s agenda. The difference is not cosmetic. Guardians probe, challenge, demand answers and if necessary, refuse. Managers placate, rubber-stamp and expedite. For the survival of Nigeria’s fragile democratic gains, the Senate must choose the harder path; the path of parliamentary independence, rigorous oversight, and public accountability. If it fails, the country will not merely misgovern; it will outsource its democracy. And that is a cost no nation can afford.
George Omagbemi Sylvester is a political analyst and columnist. Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE COMMENDS STATE-FEDERAL COLLABORATION IN ZAMFARA
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative (GCGMSI) has commended the Zamfara State Government for its decisive contribution to security operations through the donation of newly acquired armoured personnel carriers (APCs), surveillance drones, and other critical operational equipment to troops and security agencies in the state.
This commendation was contained in a statement signed by the Convener of the GCGMSI, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, and made available to the press.
The equipment was formally commissioned on Wednesday, February 18, by the Grand Patron of the GCGMSI and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR (rtd.), in a ceremony at the Government House, Gusau. The event was attended by senior military officers, heads of security agencies, and top officials of the Zamfara State Government.
The GCGMSI, in its statement, hailed the donation as a “transformative and timely intervention” that aligns perfectly with its core objective of advocating for and supporting tangible measures that enhance the operational capacity and welfare of Nigeria’s security forces. The Initiative praised Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration for moving beyond rhetoric to actionable, material support, describing the move as a “blueprint for state-level collaboration in national security.”
“The provision of these assets by the Zamfara State Government is a testament to visionary leadership and a profound commitment to the peace and stability of its people,” the GCGMSI statement read. “It represents the exact kind of synergistic partnership between state and federal authorities that the GCGMSI champions. This initiative will significantly close operational gaps, boost the confidence of our gallant troops, and send a strong message to criminal elements.”
Speaking at the commissioning, General Musa emphasized that sustained collaboration is indispensable in confronting the nation’s evolving security challenges. He specifically commended Governor Lawal for his proactive support.
“Governor Dauda Lawal has demonstrated exemplary leadership and an unwavering dedication to the security of Zamfara State,” the Defence Minister stated. “The provision of these armoured vehicles, surveillance drones, and other operational equipment will undoubtedly boost the morale and operational effectiveness of our troops and other security agencies on the ground. This is a commendable effort that should be emulated by others.”
The newly commissioned assets, which include multiple APCs and advanced surveillance drones, are expected to dramatically enhance the mobility, protection, intelligence-gathering, and rapid response capabilities of security forces, particularly in the state’s remote and difficult terrains where anti-banditry operations are ongoing.
In his remarks, Governor Lawal reiterated his administration’s steadfast commitment to being a reliable partner in the security architecture. He urged security agencies to deploy the new resources responsibly and effectively to safeguard lives and property.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Defence, reaffirmed its commitment to continuing and deepening such partnerships with state governments across the nation to strengthen coordination and resource allocation in the collective fight against insecurity.
The GCGMSI concluded its statement by urging other state governments to take a cue from Zamfara’s “bold and pragmatic” approach, affirming that such concrete support is vital for achieving lasting peace and security across Nigeria.
society
Governor Dauda Lawal Commissions 25 Armoured Personnel Carriers, Aerial Surveillance Drones to Combat Insecurity
Governor Dauda Lawal Commissions 25 Armoured Personnel Carriers, Aerial Surveillance Drones to Combat Insecurity
In a major boost to the fight against banditry and insecurity in Zamfara State and the North-West Zone, Zamfara State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Dauda Lawal, on Wednesday commissioned 25 new Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and sets of surveillance drones for the military and other security agencies operating in the state.
The event, which took place in Gusau, was part of the state government’s ongoing effort to provide structured logistical support to frontline security forces and combat insurgency, banditry, and protect lives and properties. Speaking at the commissioning and handover, Governor Lawal emphasised that the new assets are intended to enhance troop protection during high-risk deployments and improve rapid response capabilities in remote communities, ensuring tactical battle and overhead surveillance for victory.
“We have provided over 600 specialised motorcycles, 150 Hilux vehicles, and 20 Buffalo vehicles to our security forces. These 25 highly sophisticated APCs being commissioned today are therefore part of a broader reform to improve response to security threats. The APC’s significantly improves troop protection during deployments into high-risk areas. They reduce vulnerability during patrols, support convoy security along major routes, and strengthen rapid response capability when distress calls arise from remote communities.” the Governor stated.
Governor Lawal explained that the security challenges of recent years had disrupted farming, limited trade, and undermined public confidence across the state. He noted that his administration’s “Rescue Mission” agenda has focused on moving from fragmented responses to structured reforms, including the establishment of a Zamfara State Security Trust Fund and the operationalisation of Community Protection Guards to improve grassroots intelligence.
The Governor specifically highlighted the importance of integrating modern technology into security operations. He noted that the newly acquired drones would expand aerial surveillance, improve situational awareness, and support better coordination between command centres and troops in the field.
“Real-time information strengthens decision-making and reduces operational blind spots,” he added.
Governor Lawal however acknowledged the critical role of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that recent federal budgets have allocated over three trillion naira to defence, a commitment he said strengthens subnational stabilisation efforts.
He urged the military commanders and personnel receiving the equipment to ensure disciplined maintenance and intelligence-guided deployment. “Enhancing your safety enhances the safety of our communities,” he told the troops.
Governor Lawal also told the people of Zamfara that; his administration remains resolute in restoring enduring security and peace across every Local Government Area. “We will sustain preventive measures, strengthen patrol architecture in rural corridors, deepen inter-state intelligence collaboration across the North-West, and maintain fiscal prudence in security expenditure. Stabilisation will continue through structured planning, lawful enforcement, and institutional reform.”
The Governor also linked the security investment to economic recovery, stressing that stability in rural areas is essential for agricultural productivity, market activity, and food security.
The event was attended by the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), who formally commissioned the assets for operational service. Governor Lawal reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to sustain preventive measures and inter-state security collaboration until lasting peace is restored across all Local Government Areas in Zamfara.
Ramadan, Lent: Ajadi Urges Religious Harmony, Prayers for Nigeria
A leading governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has extended warm felicitations to Muslims and Christians on the simultaneous commencement of Ramadan and Lent.
Ramadan, the Islamic holy month marked by 30 days of fasting and spiritual devotion, and Lent, the 40-day Christian season of fasting and reflection, began on the same day — a development Ajadi described as symbolic and spiritually significant.
In a statement personally signed by him on Wednesday, Ajadi congratulated adherents of both faiths and called for sustained religious tolerance, unity, and peaceful coexistence across the state and the country at large.
He described the coincidence in the commencement dates as a reminder of shared values between Islam and Christianity.
“The simultaneous commencement of Ramadan and Lent is a divine reminder that we all worship the same Almighty God. It is a call for unity, love, and mutual understanding among us,” he stated.
Ajadi urged Muslims and Christians to use the sacred periods of fasting and spiritual purification to pray fervently for Nigeria, especially in view of the nation’s economic and security challenges.
“Our country is facing significant hardship. The economic difficulties and prevailing insecurity require sincere prayers. This season of spiritual purification offers us a unique opportunity to seek God’s intervention for our nation,” he said.
He further emphasized that both Islam and Christianity preach peace, tolerance, and respect for constituted authority, urging citizens to embody these teachings in their daily lives.
“Let us live peacefully, tolerate one another, and continue to pray for those in leadership. Our faiths teach us to respect and uphold our leaders in prayer,” Ajadi added.
The PDP chieftain concluded by wishing Muslims a spiritually fulfilling Ramadan and Christians a reflective and enriching Lenten season, encouraging both communities to embrace love, sacrifice, and harmonious living throughout the sacred periods.
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