Atiku Abubakar Slams Tinubu Administration for Legislative Subservience to Executive Excesses

 Former Vice President and prominent opposition figure, Atiku Abubakar, has issued a scathing critique of the current administration under President Bola Tinubu, accusing it of undermining democratic principles and compromising the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative body. In a series of tweets, Atiku expressed deep concern over the perceived erosion of the legislative arm's independence and its increasing subservience to executive whims.

Atiku began by reflecting on the historical context of democratic systems, highlighting that a primary concern for governmental thinkers has always been to curtail the highhandedness of the executive branch. He emphasized that democracy was designed to derive its legitimacy from the people, ensuring that the executive does not exceed its powers through checks and balances provided by a robust legislative arm.

“Regrettably, however, the democracy in Nigeria in the current administration of President Bola Tinubu has become an anathema to that general principle of democracy as providing primary protection for the people against executive excesses,” Atiku stated.

He pointed out the troubling trend within the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, which he claims has shifted from its core function of holding the executive accountable to becoming a "puppet in the hands of the President."

Atiku cited several incidents to support his claims:

1. Senator Abdul Ningi's Suspension: When Senator Ningi highlighted issues of budget padding in the 2024 Appropriation bill, instead of investigating the claims, the Senate's response was to suspend him.
2. Senator Ali Ndume's Dismissal: Senator Ndume, who called for President Tinubu to address the severe hunger and poverty in the country, was relieved of his position as Chief Whip of the Senate.
3. Controversial Purchases: Despite widespread calls to prioritize alleviating the nation’s hardship over lavish spending, the Senate supported the purchase of a new aircraft for the presidential fleet, ignoring public outcry and the severe economic conditions facing Nigerians.

Atiku lamented this pattern, stating, “We are, therefore, beginning to see a pattern in which the National Assembly has become an enabler of executive recklessness, and the concerns of the people stand in the nadir of priority list of the legislature.”

He warned that this "unholy alliance" between the executive and legislative branches threatens the health of Nigeria’s democracy and could lead to a dictatorship that exacerbates the plight of the people.

“This emerging reality must stop,” Atiku concluded, calling for an end to the legislative subservience and urging the National Assembly to reclaim its role as a guardian of the people's interests.

As Nigeria navigates through challenging times, the calls for genuine democratic governance and accountability resonate loudly among its citizens. Glide News will continue to provide updates on this developing story and its implications for Nigeria’s political landscape.