Activist lawyer Maduabuchi Idam has attributed President Bola Tinubu’s inability to meet certain expectations of Nigerians largely to the posture of the current National Assembly.
In a statement, Idam criticised what he described as an “O’yes” alignment within the Senate, warning that such a stance has created a dangerous bottleneck to meaningful governance.
He noted that while a president may not always be correct, the office requires proper advice and constructive challenge from the legislature to function effectively.
According to him, an overly compliant legislature risks reducing the President to a ceremonial monarch, shielded from honest counsel, unaware of his shortcomings, and ultimately exposed to public embarrassment rather than strengthened through responsible governance.
Idam further alleged that the leadership of the National Assembly has abandoned its constitutional oversight responsibilities in pursuit of executive favour.
He argued that this development has weakened the system of checks and balances designed to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
He warned that the consequences of weakened legislative oversight would ultimately be borne by citizens across the country.
The activist lawyer also called for comprehensive electoral reform, insisting that it must not be subject to negotiation and describing it as the only viable path forward.
Idam said: “President Tinubu’s inability to meet certain expectations of Nigerians should, to a large extent, be traced to the current National Assembly.
“The seeming ‘O’yes’ alignment within the Senate has created a dangerous bottleneck to meaningful governance.
“A President may not always be correct, but he must be properly advised and constructively challenged.
“Unfortunately, when a legislature becomes overly compliant, it risks turning the President into a ceremonial monarch, shielded from honest counsel, unaware of his shortcomings, and ultimately exposed to public embarrassment rather than protected through responsible governance.
“The leadership of the National Assembly has abandoned its constitutional oversight role in pursuit of favour from the President. In doing so, it has weakened the checks and balances that safeguard our democracy.
“The consequences of that failure will inevitably be borne by every citizen, if not today, then tomorrow. Electoral reform must not be negotiated. It is the only option.”