The lawmaker representing Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency in Delta State, Benedict Etanabene, has criticized what he describes as a growing trend among politicians prioritizing loyalty to President Bola Tinubu over their constitutional duty to serve Nigerians.
Etanabene, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the remarks during a Saturday interview on Arise Television. His comments were prompted by the accelerated passage of the State Police Bill, a process he said bypassed proper legislative scrutiny.
“Many politicians are more focused on impressing President Tinubu than serving citizens,” Etanabene said. “They want to be praised by their leaders. When people gather, they want to be able to say, look at what I did to that person. Whether what they did was right or wrong is not their concern. What matters is getting the approval and praise of their leaders.”
The legislator said even opposition members were prepared to support the executive version of the bill, but raised concerns about the absence of clause-by-clause debate. He recalled that an earlier version of the legislation had been passed months prior, only to be receded on a Wednesday. A new executive bill was introduced the same day, with lawmakers instructed to pass it by Thursday.
“Some of us didn’t sleep that night because we went clause by clause looking at it and trying to rush it, but that’s not how it is supposed to be,” Etanabene said. “We’re just trying to see how we can meet up with the pattern.”
The rushed timeline, he argued, undermines the legislative process and prevents lawmakers from properly examining the implications of establishing state police structures across Nigeria. The bill seeks to amend the constitution to allow states to create their own police forces, a significant shift in the country’s security architecture that has been debated for years.
Etanabene’s criticism highlights broader concerns about executive dominance over the National Assembly and the erosion of bipartisan legislative rigor. As a ranking opposition figure, his account suggests that procedural shortcuts are being normalized across party lines, driven by a culture of executive deference rather than policy merit.
The State Police Bill remains a contentious piece of legislation, with stakeholders divided on its potential to improve local security versus risks of political misuse. Etanabene’s intervention underscores the need for thorough debate, public input, and institutional safeguards before such far-reaching constitutional changes are enacted.
Observers say the episode reflects a recurring pattern in Nigeria’s current legislative cycle, where speed is often valued over substance. The long-term impact on democratic accountability and public trust in representative institutions remains a subject of concern among governance advocates.
