"Senator Umeh: Akpabio's Senate and House of Representatives Let Down Their Duties"

Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central, has attributed what he refers to as the shortcomings of the 10th National Assembly in fulfilling its duties to the way its leadership was formed.

Umeh stated that the National Assembly commenced under a "very unusual situation" where President Bola Tinubu openly endorsed the leaders of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Monday, the senator noted that some lawmakers disagreed with the president’s direct involvement in selecting the legislative leadership, contending that the National Assembly should have chosen its leaders independently.

He mentioned that those lawmakers who held this perspective faced harassment on television and other platforms but ultimately accepted the results after the endorsed candidates secured the leadership positions.

According to him, the Senate President and Speaker, having received public backing from the executive branch, emerged through a process that hindered the legislature's ability to operate independently.

He remarked: “The 10th National Assembly began under a very peculiar situation where the President openly selected the leadership for the National Assembly. This was evident.”

“Some of us believed that the president should not have openly declared who the leaders would be. We faced harassment on television and other platforms, yet we waited.”

“Thus, it was unrealistic to expect a different outcome, given that the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives were openly supported by the president, the leader of the executive. We accepted this outcome because it occurred. The votes were cast, and they prevailed.”

“Now that they have won, we must adapt to the situation. We are aware that the dynamic would have been different if we had elected our leadership independently.”

“I don't hold any grudges against those who attained leadership positions. However, what has transpired is that, in terms of effectively fulfilling the responsibilities of the National Assembly, we have struggled due to this situation. Those of us from opposition parties also believe that for the sake of stability and the welfare of the Nigerian people, we should support the executive branch so it can perform at its best.”

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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