Former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has lamented the depreciation of the National Assembly from its cherished vibrant nature to a docile parliament.
Saraki, who was the Chairman of the 9th National Assembly, said the Nigerian parliament was gradually becoming a shadow of what a virile and effective parliament should be.
He stated this in his message to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebration.
It could be recalled that Saraki led what has been adjudged to be one of the most vibrant Senate since the return to democracy in 1999.
Under his watch, the executive arm could not have their way in matters considered not to be in the interest of the masses.
But in his message shared on his social media handles on Thursday, Saraki lamented that things had changed.
“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.
“We owe it a duty to those who fought for the present democracy that we have and the future generations of Nigeria that will come after us to make the parliamentary institution stronger and more efficient.
“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.
“From interference in its choice of leadership, misunderstanding its oversight role, and taking its occasional ‘No’ as being antagonistic, the National Assembly has often come under unwarranted and systemic attack,” he lamented.
The former Kwara governor, however, appealed that, "We owe it a duty to those who fought for the present democracy that we have and the future generations of Nigeria that will come after us to make the parliamentary institution stronger and more efficient.”
While noting that the National Assembly is naturally designed to promote multi-party democracy, he said the voting culture of the parliament “is not expected to be one-sided, one party, and one way.”
He advocated that efforts should be made to improve on the participation of the youths in the parliament, particularly following the passage of the Constitutional Bill tagged ‘Not Too Young to Run” Law.