Stop Calling Us a Rubber-Stamp Parliament, it is painful- Senate Leader Tells Nigerians

Senator Opeyemi Bamidele defends legislative independence, as civil society calls for greater transparency

Bamidele made the statement while addressing journalists in Abuja, where he defended the Senate’s record amid growing public skepticism over its perceived subservience to the executive arm of government.

> “We are not a rubber-stamp parliament,” the Senate Leader declared. “We work tirelessly to ensure that every bill, budget, and policy is critically reviewed with the nation’s development in mind. Harmony with the executive should not be mistaken for weakness.”

He further argued that institutional cooperation is essential to effective governance and should be seen as a sign of political maturity rather than submission.

Bamidele’s remarks have sparked mixed reactions from civil society organizations, many of which say the National Assembly must do more to visibly assert its independence.

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