Saraki Sparks Debate, Says Some National Assembly Members Win Elections Without Legislative Input

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has called on Nigerians to hold all elected officials accountable, not only the President, stressing the need for improved representation at all levels of government.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking specifically about lawmakers, Saraki urged citizens to actively monitor the performance of their representatives and demand regular feedback on their legislative activities.

He argued that greater public scrutiny of lawmakers’ records would significantly improve the quality of the National Assembly, as legislators would be compelled to perform more effectively.

Saraki, a former Governor of Kwara State, made the remarks during an interview with Vanguard, where he expressed concern that some lawmakers rarely contribute to debates on the floor of the National Assembly yet continue to secure re-election every four years.

“The single most important reform that could improve the National Assembly would cost the government nothing,” he said.

“It is citizens who watch, ask questions, and vote based on legislative performance—not just political personalities.

“You see legislators who keep winning elections, and for four years they have not even raised their hand to speak. Yet they still get re-elected. Meanwhile, those who are active in the chamber sometimes lose because they cannot meet constituency expectations,” he added.

Saraki also advocated for electoral reforms aimed at ensuring that competent individuals are elected, arguing that this is essential to strengthening democratic institutions.

“Until we have a system that ensures the right people are elected, the foundation will remain weak,” he said.

“If there is one key takeaway, it is that we must ensure a process that consistently produces the right representatives,” he added.