RismadarVoice Reporters, June 12, 2026
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has emphasised the critical role of an independent legislature in sustaining democratic governance, arguing that a parliament unable to challenge the executive arm of government fails to serve its constitutional purpose.
Speaking during the June 12, 2026 edition of The Platform, broadcast on Channels Television on Friday, Saraki said the legislature must act as a vital check on executive authority rather than merely endorsing government proposals without proper examination.
Drawing from his experience as Senate President, he maintained that the National Assembly is designed to provide oversight, ensure accountability and create a platform where differing interests and opinions can be debated peacefully within a diverse nation.
According to Saraki, lawmakers who simply receive executive requests, approve them without scrutiny and move on have not fulfilled the responsibilities assigned to them by the Constitution.
He further noted that legislative independence should not be mistaken for opposition to the government of the day. Rather, he described it as an essential component of a healthy democracy that strengthens the legitimacy of government actions and decisions.
Saraki argued that when the National Assembly operates independently and effectively, it helps build public trust by subjecting government policies and proposals to rigorous review. In his view, mandates that are never questioned or tested risk undermining confidence in democratic institutions.
The former Senate President also stressed that strong institutions remain crucial to national stability, providing avenues for dialogue, accountability and democratic governance.
