Shehu Sani, a former senator who represented Kaduna Central, has spoken out against National Assembly members becoming “rubber stamps” for the executive. He shared his thoughts during the opening of the National Assembly Legislative Aides’ Forum (NASSLAF) Week in Abuja, advising lawmakers to stay true to their duties and not surrender their independence to the executive branch of government.

Sani warned that lawmakers must act selflessly and focus on serving the country rather than prioritizing their personal interests. According to him, when the legislature becomes too compliant with the executive, it threatens democracy, weakens governance, and undermines the system of checks and balances.

He pointed to the previous National Assembly, led by Senator Bukola Saraki, which he praised for standing firm against the executive’s attempts to overreach. In contrast, he expressed concern that the current assembly’s powers have been gradually eroded.

“In our time, it was unthinkable for heads of MDAs to ignore our summons. They understood the gravity of our oversight functions,” he said.

The former senator also reminded lawmakers that their main duty is to serve the people of Nigeria, not the presidency. He cautioned against excessive cooperation with the executive, which, in his view, could lead to tyranny and undermine the independence of the legislature.

“This institution needs respect. If you turn yourselves into stooges, you will lose that respect. Our era defended legislative independence, but it came at a cost,” he said.

Sani also recognized the essential role of legislative aides, calling them the backbone of the National Assembly.

“The Senate President must ensure that nominees for appointments and executive proposals undergo serious scrutiny. This is not a place for automatic approval,” he stated.

He praised their contributions to drafting laws and shaping policies that guide the nation’s governance, highlighting that their hard work is often overlooked.