Senator Ireti Kingibe has accused the National Assembly of failing to effectively check the excesses of the Executive, describing the legislature as a body that often cooperates with the government.
The senator representing the Federal Capital Territory said many actions attributed to the Executive were enabled by lawmakers who fail to exercise proper oversight and accountability.
Speaking on ARISE News on Wednesday, Kingibe also distanced herself from the committee report that led to the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, insisting she neither reviewed nor approved the document.
According to her, she attended the committee meeting briefly before leaving for a tax reform retreat, which she considered more important to her constituents.
She explained that although her signature appeared on the report, she never signed the document itself and had repeatedly complained about not being given access to it.
The lawmaker questioned Senate procedures, saying members should be allowed to study reports before endorsing them rather than signing documents without proper review.
On Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, Kingibe said the Senate could improve transparency and accountability in handling disciplinary matters.
She noted that similar disputes involving lawmakers were often resolved through apologies, making prolonged disciplinary actions unnecessary.
Addressing women’s participation in politics, Kingibe said female lawmakers face challenges and are not given adequate opportunities to grow within the political system.
She called for reforms to protect legislative processes, alleging that lawmakers’ signatures are sometimes used without sufficient scrutiny.
Commenting on a recent court ruling involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Kingibe expressed confidence that the opposition party would remain on the ballot.
She urged party members and residents of the FCT to remain calm, insisting there was no threat to the party’s participation in future elections.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, the senator said public dissatisfaction stems from economic hardship rather than opposition activities.
She advised the government to focus on addressing citizens’ concerns instead of attempting to weaken political competition.
Kingibe also highlighted pending legislative priorities, including the Tenancy Bill and proposals aimed at improving gender inclusion.
She said many residents of the FCT feel neglected and called for urgent measures to improve their welfare and living conditions.
The senator further urged authorities to prioritise long-term solutions over election-season handouts, stressing that good governance should be measured by citizens’ well-being.
She added that the FCT, as the nation’s capital, should serve as a model of effective service delivery and governance.
