Abaribe Reveals The Truth Behind Lawmakers’ Mixed Signals On FG Policies And Tinubu’s Governance

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South, has clarified that the National Assembly’s approval of executive requests does not imply that all lawmakers personally endorse every decision.

Speaking on Monday during an interview with Channels Television, Abaribe argued that under Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the legislature has struggled to hold President Bola Tinubu’s administration accountable due to what he described as “state capture.”

Asked why some lawmakers approve key policies, budgets, and nominations but later criticize the same administration, the senator explained that the issue lies in the broader problem of executive dominance. He said that while many arms of government have become subservient to the executive, some lawmakers still oppose actions they consider wrong.

Abaribe stated, “I am a senator of the Federal Republic. If a document is presented to me and I disagree, I will say so, even if some of my colleagues agree. That is the decision of the National Assembly, but it doesn’t mean I personally agree.

“When the President purchased another plane, it was never brought to the National Assembly. Did I speak against it? Yes. Was it presented for scrutiny? No. There are many such issues in this government.

“For instance, the Minister of Works was questioned about a major signature project. Was there competitive bidding? Was an Expression of Interest conducted? They went ahead regardless.

“The point is simple: we are facing state capture. That’s when all arms of government become subservient to the executive. But that doesn’t stop some of us from standing up and saying, ‘This is wrong.’”