Nigerian Senate Leader Pushes Back Against “Rubber-Stamp” Criticisms
In a strong response to criticisms from opposition parties, Nigerian Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has defended the National Assembly against claims that it is a “rubber-stamp” parliament. The opposition parties, including the Peoples Democracy Party, Labour Party, and New Nigeria Peoples Party, have long accused the National Assembly of simply approving decisions made by the executive arm without adequate scrutiny. However, Bamidele argues that this characterization is unfair and lacks justification.
Bamidele pointed to the lengthy process of passing the Tax Reform Bills, 2024, as evidence of the National Assembly’s diligence. The bills were initiated in November 2024 but took six months to pass, during which time the legislative and executive arms held over 39 meetings to iron out grey areas. This extensive consultation process involved diverse stakeholders from across the country, including civil society organizations, professional bodies, and religious leaders.
The Senate Leader emphasized that if the National Assembly were truly a “rubber-stamp” institution, the tax reform bills would have been rushed through in a matter of weeks. Instead, the parliament took its time to ensure that all critical stakeholders were heard and that the bills met the needs of the people. Bamidele also highlighted the behind-the-scenes efforts, closed-door meetings, and subtle disagreements between the legislature and the executive that took place before the bills were passed.
Bamidele also cited the example of the 2025 Appropriation Act, which was laid before the National Assembly on December 18, 2024, but not passed until February 13, 2025. He argued that if the National Assembly were a rubber stamp, it could have hastened the passage of the budget by the end of the 2024 fiscal year. However, the parliament chose to take its time to scrutinize the budget properly, engaging with heads of agencies and ensuring that the budget was in the overriding public interest.
The Senate Leader’s defense of the National Assembly comes amidst sustained public criticism of the parliament’s role in the country’s governance. While the opposition parties have been vocal in their criticism, Bamidele’s response highlights the parliament’s commitment to good governance and its efforts to promote the public interest. As the National Assembly continues to face scrutiny, Bamidele’s words serve as a reminder of the importance of careful consideration and consultation in the legislative process.
