Avoid Being Appendage of Executive, NLC Tells National Assembly

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has enjoined members of the newly inaugurated National Assembly to live to the oath of their office and avoid being an appendage of the executive arm of government.

In a statement signed by the Acting President of NLC, Mr. Adewale Adeyanju, the labour movement said that the lawmakers owe their loyalty first to Nigerians, adding that people have great expectations of this Assembly.

NLC said: “While expecting great things of or from this Assembly, we however find it necessary to sound a note of warning…that the National Assembly is not an extension of the Executive. Its role of law-making, investigation and oversight  been defined and cut for it by the constitution. 

“The loyalty of the National Assembly should be to the nation or those who elected the members and not to the party or the Executive. Other interests should be surbodinated to the National Interests at all times.”

On the expectations from the 20th National Assembly, NLC said the lawmakers should strive to make laws that will strengthen democracy and promote accountability.

“Without demeaning the initiatives of the past Assemblies, there is a lot of work ahead.  For instance, we need laws that will deepen and strengthen our democracy, especially in relation to elections, governance, accountability  and citizen participation. Similarly, quite a number of our laws/statutes are in  need of review,” it said.

In addition, NLC said there are serious issues needing full and transparent investigation through honest oversight.

“The Nigeria Labour Congress and other Nigerians have great expectations of this Assembly and there is cause for this, its diversity as a source of strength.

“In the course of time, an impression has been created that the National Assembly is an Assembly of Deals neither in the interest of the people nor the nation but the members. We expect the 10th National Assembly to work assiduously to correct this impression,” it said.

While congratulating the new Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and other principal officers, NLC urged them to be guided not by primordial sentiments but by the oath of office they have signed.