In a recent statement, Human rights activist and public commentator, Senator Shehu Sani, has shared his thoughts on the current state of the Nigerian Senate under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, during a recent interview with The Sun.
Senator Sani, who served in the 8th National Assembly, compared the present Senate to its predecessors.
He praised the former Senate President Bukola Saraki, stating that Saraki was the best Senate President we have ever had.
He underlined Saraki's role in holding the executive accountable and maintaining the independence and integrity of the National Assembly.
Senator Sani compared Saraki's tenure with the current Senate led by Akpabio.
He criticized the Senate under Ahmad Lawan, calling it a "rubber stamp Senate" for its perceived failure to check the executive branch during President Buhari's administration.
Senator Sani expressed concerns about the consequences of the previous Senate's actions.
Reflecting on the ongoing issues in Nigeria, Senator Sani questioned the role of the National Assembly from 2019 to 2023.
"Saraki was the best Senate President we have ever had. For the fact that he held the executive to account and that for the first time, a National Assembly was viewed with integrity and we maintained the independence and sanctity of the National Assembly, that is, the Parliament. Godswill Akpabio’s Senate is far, far below the standard of Saraki’s Senate, but it is far ahead of Lawan’s Senate."
"Lawan’s Senate was rubber stamp Senate because part of the problems which we have now, they plunged Nigeria into; the fact that the Senate at that time failed to perform its duty. It was approving everything of Buhari, endorsing everything of Buhari and then, they led us to where we are today. Most of the revelations that are coming now about how this country was destroyed, the question you will ask is, where was the National Assembly from 2019 till 2023?" he said.