Nigeria’s Senate President, Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, has once again dismissed a negative remark by some quarters that the Nigerian Senate was a rubber stamp legislature.

Lawan, spoke to news reporters after a surprise belated, birthday gift by his North East Support Group at the Dutse Airport in Jigawa State, while on his way to his Yobe North Senatorial District in Yobe State. He clarified that the ninth senate is largey misunderstood.

Lawan likened the rubber stamp remark to a “blackmail”, as he affirmed that it won’t stop the Senate from being united for the country’s best interest.

Lawan defended the Senate, saying:

The ninth National Assembly is a National Assembly that is focused, that is united, that is determined to make a positive difference in the lives of Nigerians.

We are so terribly misunderstood that when we say that we are going to work with the executive arm of government in a very harmonious and productive manner, some people, some out of misunderstanding, some out of mischief, say it’s a rubber stamp National Assembly.

But let me say this: no amount of distractions or blackmail will stop us from being united in the National Assembly for the benefit of Nigerians who elected us and nothing will discourage us from working with the executive arm of government for the betterment of our country.

As a legislature, we know where our limits lie in terms of cooperation and in working with the executive arm of government. But we are going to give the President and his team every possible legislative support that they require to make this country better and greater.

Where we feel that there is a breach of procedures and processes by the executive arm of government, we will insist that the right things are done.

So it doesn’t mean that because we are peaceful and that we are cordial with the executive arm of government that we are rubber stamp, but that is something that will not distract us.

We have seen what a “rubber stamp” National Assembly could do. We have already passed so many important and critical legislations within the last six months and if that is what we can be achieving with that kind of understanding, so be it.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.