Abaribe Faults National Assembly’s Oversight Role, Warns of ‘State Capture’ Under Tinubu Administration

 

 Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South in the National Assembly, has stated that legislative approval of executive requests should not be interpreted as unanimous support among lawmakers. According to him, decisions taken by the National Assembly often reflect the will of the majority and do not necessarily align with the personal positions of all individual legislators.

Abaribe made this clarification on Monday during an interview on Channels Television, where he expressed concern over what he described as the growing inability of the National Assembly, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, to adequately scrutinise the actions of the executive arm of government. He attributed this weakness to a phenomenon he termed “state capture,” which he said has tilted the balance of power heavily in favour of the presidency.

Responding to questions about why lawmakers approve major government policies, budgets, and appointments only to later criticise the same administration, the senator argued that the issue goes beyond individual inconsistencies. Instead, he said it reflects a systemic problem in which the legislature and other institutions are increasingly subordinate to the executive. Despite this reality, Abaribe maintained that some lawmakers continue to voice opposition when they believe certain policies or actions are not in the best interest of the country.

He explained that as an elected senator, his primary responsibility is to represent the views and interests of his constituents. When executive proposals are presented to the Senate, he may personally object to them, even if a majority of his colleagues choose to support the requests. In such cases, he noted, the final decision of the National Assembly does not automatically signify his consent or endorsement.

To illustrate his point, Abaribe referenced the reported purchase of a new presidential aircraft, which he claimed was not presented to the National Assembly for approval. He stressed that, to date, no one has disproved his assertion, raising concerns about transparency and adherence to due process within the current administration.