Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has accused the executive and judiciary of weakening and undermining the National Assembly, saying Nigeria is drifting backwards due to institutional failure.

“Today, we seem to be drifting backwards,” Mr Saraki said in a statement commemorating Democracy Day on Thursday. “Let me now say that except we are here to lie to ourselves, we must acknowledge the fact that the National Assembly is gradually becoming a shadow of what a virile and effective parliament should be. I am convinced that this is not only the fault of the legislature and its leadership. The executive and judiciary have consistently played key roles in undermining and weakening the National Assembly.”

The former senate president said the National Assembly often come under unwarranted attacks, lamenting needless interference in its choice of leadership and misunderstanding its oversight role.

The parliament, according to Mr Saraki, is meant to checkmate the activities of other arms of government and hold power accountable, appealing to Nigerians to make it efficient and strong.

He stated, “I want to make a strong appeal to all of us that we need to consciously work hard to make this institution strong and vibrant. We all need to realise that by its nature, its role and character, the parliament is created to say the truth to power and scrutinize what the executive is doing. Sometimes, it will agree with the executive actions and proposals. Other times, it may disagree. One good thing is that its agreement or disagreement should always be in the protection of national interest, not that of personal or partisan interest.”

Mr Saraki tasked the parliament on open-mindedness, noting that multiplicity of opinion was crucial to democratic survival.

“The National Assembly should continue to be open to the people who have grievances or opinions on issues to ventilate their views, whether rational, irrational, positive, or sometimes, negative. One of the tenets of democracy is the multiplicity of opinions, freely expressed. If the National Assembly is made helpless and hopeless to the extent that the people cannot find succour there, then they will be left with no option but to run to the streets. And this is dangerous for our democracy,” the former senate president said.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu on Thursday pledged to work with the National Assembly to preserve the country’s democracy in the interest of Nigerians.

In his June 12 speech, Mr Tinubu commended the parliament for upholding democratic ideals at every critical moment in Nigeria’s history.

Mr Tinubu said, “It is fitting that I come to this chamber. You are the authors of the people’s law, and I must be their faithful implementer. While we may not always agree, we must forge a way to work together because this is what democracy demands of us. I pledge myself to this cooperation and ask that you do the same for the good of our people.’’