Senator‑elect Adams Oshiomhole said the president‑elect, Bola Tinubu, is not seeking a rubber‑stamp National Assembly but a robust one. Speaking to journalists at the presentation of certificates of return to senators‑elect in Abuja on Tuesday, Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District, emphasized that the president‑elect “looks forward to a Senate that would contribute to the development of the country.” He added, “I will not be part of the legislature for the powerful but for the countrymen.”
A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Oshiomhole highlighted his long‑standing role as a voice of the people—from his days as a textile union activist and NLC President to his tenure as Governor of Edo. He pledged to support a Senate that legislates for ordinary Nigerians, ensuring that appropriations deliver value for money. “The executive is powerful but not absolute; it must be subject to legislative checks,” he said. “We are not here for allowances. There are several things we can do differently so that the renewed hope of our party translates into reality.”
Oshiomhole reiterated that the president‑elect does not want a rubber‑stamp assembly but one that contributes to knowledge and democratic dividends. “Nobody has absolute knowledge, but by working together and negotiating we can achieve a win‑win formula,” he explained. He also outlined the 10th Senate’s priorities, beginning with economic growth and a robust GDP driven by power reforms. He blamed the current power sector problems on favoritism toward friends and relatives who lack expertise, describing the practice of charging citizens for unconsumed electricity as fraud. “Government must protect its citizens, and customers must be protected; otherwise the energy spent voting for a few individuals is wasted,” he warned, calling for courageous reforms.
Regarding petroleum products, Oshiomhole noted the persistent long queues at fuel stations, a situation that agitates him given his past battles against such policies as NLC President. He urged radical action to ensure that petrol consumed in Nigeria is refined locally. “I will not go to the Senate to lament but to make laws that will be enforced,” he concluded.
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