Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics on Sunday, the former Edo State governor and current senator representing Edo North described the criticism as misguided and a misrepresentation of the legislature’s role in a democratic system.
“There’s a perception that the National Assembly is a rubber stamp? So if we start boxing the presidency just to prove independence, then we become a bunch of rascals. Is that what we were elected for, to go and box?” Oshiomhole asked.
He challenged detractors to identify any legislation passed by the Assembly that has undermined the national interest.
“Tell me, which lawhave we rubber-stamped that is harmful to Nigerians? Just name one that passed without robust debate,” he said.
Oshiomhole also pointed to various actions taken by lawmakers, including his own interventions concerning alleged extortion by electricity distribution companies (DISCOs), as evidence that the legislature is fulfilling its oversight responsibilities.
According to him, effective legislative work doesn’t necessarily involve high-profile clashes with the executive.
“The notion that we must constantly oppose the executive to be seen as effective is flawed,” he stated. “We deliberate, we debate, and we make decisions based on merit, not on the optics of opposition.”
His comments come amid increased scrutiny over the perceived close alignment between the National Assembly and the presidency, sparking broader debates about legislative independence and the balance of power in Nigeria’s democratic system.
