The Senate That Cannot Say Nay -By Moshood Oshunfurewa

The 10th Senate under President Godswill Akpabio presents a compelling case study of democratic corrosion masked as efficiency. In just two years, this chamber has introduced 844 bills, a figure trumpeted as unprecedented, yet these raw numbers obscure a deeper institutional crisis. The Senate has become the executive’s most reliable political vassal, a body where opposition is not so much defeated as it is irrelevant.

According to some lawmakers and political observers, the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the 10th National Assembly leadership raised questions about legislative autonomy. Following the inauguration of the Assembly on June 13, 2023, President Bola Tinubu publicly endorsed Senator Godswill Akpabio for Senate President and Tajudeen Abbas for Speaker of the House of Representatives. Senator Victor Umeh of Anambra Central has argued that this endorsement influenced the leadership selection process and reduced the likelihood of robust legislative scrutiny of executive policies. He further claimed that lawmakers who opposed the executive-backed arrangement faced public criticism and pressure, creating an environment in which dissenting voices became less influential.

Supporters of the Senate have described the relationship between the legislature and executive as one of constructive cooperation, highlighting the passage of major reforms such as the Student Loan Act and Tax Reform Bills. Critics, however, contend that the speed with which certain executive requests have been processed raises concerns about the depth of legislative scrutiny. For example, the Senate has been criticized for rapidly considering executive proposals, with some civil society groups arguing that due process and detailed examination were sometimes limited. The chamber acted on 26 Executive Bills and confirmed the first batch of 48 ministerial nominees in less than six hours, a pace that critics believe left little room for comprehensive assessment of the nominees and their qualifications.

Concerns have also been expressed regarding the Senate’s oversight role. While Senate leadership has emphasized a commitment to rigorous oversight, some observers argue that the chamber has not demonstrated the same level of scrutiny in investigating allegations of financial misconduct or examining executive borrowing requests. This perceived pattern of cooperation has led several civil society organizations to characterize the National Assembly as a “rubber stamp” institution. Senator Akpabio has rejected this characterization, maintaining that legislators are elected to support national development rather than engage in unnecessary confrontation with the executive.

One of the most significant controversies during the 10th Senate arose in March 2024 when Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central alleged that the 2024 budget had been padded by ₦3.7 trillion. According to his claims, the National Assembly approved a budget of ₦25 trillion, while the government was implementing a budget of ₦28.7 trillion. He further alleged that 7,447 projects valued at ₦2.24 trillion had been inserted into the budget without proper justification. Rather than initiating an independent investigation into the allegations, the Senate suspended Senator Ningi for three months. The decision drew criticism from civil society organizations, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which described the suspension as retaliatory and subsequently pursued legal action.

Additional concerns emerged following allegations made by House of Representatives member Ibrahim Auto, who claimed in a widely circulated video that lawmakers paid between ₦1 million and ₦3 million to secure opportunities to present bills, motions, and petitions before the legislature. The allegations prompted calls from SERAP and other stakeholders for an independent investigation and possible prosecution of those involved. However, no formal investigation had been launched at the time these concerns were raised publicly, further contributing to debates about transparency and accountability within the legislature.

Comparisons with previous Senate administrations have also featured prominently in discussions about the performance of the 10th Senate. The 8th Senate, led by Bukola Saraki from 2015 to 2019, was characterized by a more confrontational relationship with the executive branch. During that period, ministerial nominations were subjected to lengthy reviews, the nomination of Ibrahim Magu as Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was repeatedly rejected, and executive borrowing requests were often delayed or returned for reconsideration. The 9th Senate under Ahmad Lawan, which served from 2019 to 2023, was generally regarded as more cooperative with the executive, earning criticism from some observers who labeled it a “rubber stamp” legislature. Nevertheless, critics argue that the 10th Senate has demonstrated an even greater degree of alignment with executive priorities, citing rapid approvals, the suspension of whistleblowers, and allegations concerning the monetization of legislative processes.

Public confidence in the National Assembly has also been affected by these developments. During debates surrounding the budget-padding allegations, Senator Akpabio acknowledged that the controversy had damaged the image of the Senate and remarked that many Nigerians might never again fully respect the institution. Broader concerns about governance and accountability are reflected in Nigeria’s ranking of 145th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index. Civil society organizations, particularly SERAP, have continued to advocate for greater transparency within the National Assembly, including the disclosure of lawmakers’ running costs and investigations into allegations of corruption.

These developments have intensified discussions about the appropriate role of the legislature within Nigeria’s democratic system. Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has argued that an effective legislature must retain the ability to independently assess and, when necessary, reject executive proposals. The debate surrounding the 10th Senate therefore extends beyond questions of legislative productivity and efficiency, encompassing broader concerns about accountability, institutional independence, public trust, and the balance of power within Nigeria’s democratic framework.