THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: A TALE OF CONTROVERSY, MISPLACED PRIORITIES, AND PROFLIGACY

The National Assembly works with the other branches of government to make laws. To prevent the Hobbesian state of nature, when life was deemed "nasty" and "brutish," the legislative branch is required. It should be mentioned that among other things, the legislative branch's oversight duties include holding officials accountable, ensuring efficient governance, and reining in the executive branch's excesses. But throughout the years, Nigeria's National Assembly has been enmeshed in sickening scandals, a misdirected focus, and excessive spending. The recent fracas and imbroglio is evidence to the degenerating and worsening state of the National Assembly especially in the ongoing debacle between the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. Such issues have become a disgusting and recurring culture in the National Assembly. For instance, in the 8th assembly, a repulsive scandal had erupted between Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos Central) and Dino Melaye(Kogi West). The wrangle between the duo started during a closed-door meeting held by senators on Tuesday 12, 2016. According to an online report by Premium Times dated July 16, 2016, Dino Melaye, who was not comfortable with some comments made by Mrs. Oluremi during the closed-door meeting, had jumped up from his seat and charged towards the Lagos Senator saying, ‘I will beat you up,... impregnate you and nothing will happen’. That a distinguished member of the National Assembly could utter such a horrid statement only tell the moral decline of some members of the hallowed chamber. Expectedly, this squabble led to controversy that some right thinking Nigerians wonder how some persons managed to find their way to the National Assembly considering their ingrained impropriety. 

In 2024, the upper chamber was caught in another controversy when the senator representing Bauchi central, Abdul Ningi, allegedly accused the 10th senate of paddling the budget to the tune of N3 trillion. The same year, the hallowed known for its culture of scandal had sparked another controversy when it planned a whopping N30 billion naira for the renovation of the National Assembly complex. This is coming at a time when Nigerians are feeling the heat of fuel subsidy removal and the menace of profiteering. 

In addition to the series of controversies that have plagued the national assembly over the years, there is also the issue of misplaced priorities. Also in 2024, the national assembly had recommended the purchase of a new aircraft for the nation's president. While the security and safety of the number one citizen should be the concern and priority of well-meaning and right-thinking citizens, it's however, a high level of fiscal irresponsibility and insensitivity that the national assembly could approve a presidential jet valued at approximately $100 billion at a time of economic downturn. Earlier in 2023, the presidency had included a N5 billion allocation for a presidential yacht in the supplementary appropriation bill. The typical Nigerian national assembly, known for its poor prioritization, ‘rubber stamp' nature, and unwise allocation of resources would have approved such a mind-blowing item in the bill if not for public criticisms. The trend of misguided focus continues and evident in the proposal by some federal lawmakers from the south eastern for the creation of additional states in the region. This is coming without a well-thought plan for the political viability and economic capacity of the proposed states should the bill scale the hurdles. Report have shown that it's only Rivers and Lagos that can sustain themselves without monthly allocation from the federal account. The motion for additional states in the south east region is coming at a time when most existing states even in the south east region are economically struggling and battling with the ubiquitous challenge of poverty, unemployment and insecurity. Yet, some national assembly members have chosen to allow their perceived marginalization to becloud their sense of initiating and debating a much-needed bill that prioritizes transformative development and addresses the challenge of insecurity in the south east - Such has always been the parochial tendency of most lawmakers, often at the expense of Nigeria's overall interest. Ultimately, it stems from the culture of flawed sense of priority that has come to define the national assembly.

Beyond the public scandals and misplaced priorities, another perennial challenge plaguing the national assembly is profligacy. The wasteful and extravagant use of public funds to satisfy the national assembly members’ appetite for luxury. For instance, in 2015, the 8th senate faced public outcry for its N4.7 billion plan on exotic cars. The irritating norm is also reflected in the current national assembly when it was reported that the Senate was on the ‘verge of receiving brand new 2023 models of Toyota land cruiser and Prado sports utility vehicles totalling N57.6 bn. This was coming at a time when Nigerians were suffering from the economic impact of the fuel subsidy removal. An excerpt from Punch Editorial dated on 9th March, 2025., stated that, “Fresh media reports indicate that the Senate President and Tajudeen Abass, the speaker of the House of Representatives, travel in all 11 vehicle convoy each. These vehicles reportedly include two bulletproof 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class models valued at N306m per unit, five Toyota land cruisers valued at N375m, two Toyota Hilux, one hilux, one ambulance and three police power bikes. The speaker reportedly has the same number of vehicles in his convoy.” 

In a country plagued with myriads and plethora of challenges, it's unthinkable and unimaginable that the aggravating custom of profligacy is still being sustained by federal lawmakers and this further highlights the fiscal irresponsibility and high level of insensitivity that have come to define the national assembly. A misinterpretation of the National Assembly’s purpose has contributed to its decline and worsening state. This distorted perception has fostered the belief that the legislature is merely a means for personal enrichment and an easy route to share in the nation’s wealth. Meanwhile, the national assembly is meant to be a hallowed chamber built on public trust, transparency and accountability. It's high time the national assembly rid itself of nauseating scandals, misguided focus and the obnoxious culture of profligacy. The national assembly must begin to realign itself with pressing issues that resonates with the demands and expectations of the people. Its members must begin to act and comport themselves in a way befitting of the dignified and hallowed institution. These will rebuild and foster public trust and engender collective respect for the law making institution.