Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe warned that the National Assembly is failing to hold President Bola Tinubu’s administration accountable because of “state capture.” Speaking on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*, the Abia South senator explained why lawmakers who approve key policies, budgets and nominations often criticize the same administration later. He clarified that the Assembly’s approval of executive requests does not mean every legislator agrees with those decisions.
Abaribe argued that the deeper problem is the legislature’s subservience to the executive, a phenomenon he described as “state capture.” He cited specific examples, such as the purchase of a new plane that, in his view, was not presented to the National Assembly, and the lack of competitive bidding for a flagship project overseen by the Minister of Works. These instances, he said, illustrate decisions being made without proper oversight.
Despite this climate, Abaribe noted that some lawmakers continue to oppose policies and actions they consider wrong. He emphasized that state capture undermines the Assembly’s ability to hold the administration accountable, highlighting the broader challenge of ensuring transparency and accountability in government decision‑making.
The senator’s comments echo concerns raised by civil‑society groups and opposition parties, which argue that state capture threatens democracy and the rule of law. As the National Assembly navigates its relationship with the executive, Abaribe’s remarks underscore the need for the legislature to fulfill its constitutional role effectively.
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