‘Bow Your Heads in Shame’, Aisha Yesufu Blasts National Assembly Over Rising Insecurity in Nigeria
Human rights activist Aisha Yesufu has criticised the National Assembly (NASS) for failing to amplify the security challenges faced by Nigerians, stating that all members should “bow their heads in shame”.
In an open letter to the National Assembly on Monday, Yesufu emphasised the pivotal role of the legislative arm of government in a democratic society.
“Dear National Assembly, The legislative arm of government is the bedrock of democracy. It is usually what signifies that a democracy is entrenched in a country. The legislative arm of government makes laws, have oversight functions, confirms nominations, ratify treaties, and most importantly hold the executive accountable. The legislative arm is supposed to be the activist in government. The voice for the voiceless!!!
“Every member of the National Assembly was voted by the people to be a voice backed by constitutional authority. A voice that will speak up when the people are in dire need. The importance of the role the National Assembly plays in amplifying the voices of the people, can be seen in how the voices of the lawmakers are protected and whatever they say on the floor of their respective chambers are never held against them.
“Today, the Nigerian people are being hunted like animals, abducted or killed in their places of worship, schools, on the roads, farms, markets and even in their homes where they ought to be safest. Nowhere is safe in Nigeria and no one is safe in Nigeria. With all of these happening, the National Assembly members have not deemed it fit to raise their collective voices for the people that sent them to the National Assembly. Instead, they have raised their voices in defending the executive they should be holding accountable,” she stated.
The activist expressed disappointment at the NASS’s failure to fulfil its constitutional duties. “As the highest legislative arm of government, the National Assembly is supposed to be the voice of the people, but it has become a rubber stamp assembly, complicit in the country’s descent into chaos. Every member of the National Assembly should bow his or her head in shame, for you all have collectively failed the people of Nigeria.”
Yesufu explained that the primary responsibility of the Assembly is to make laws that promote the welfare and security of Nigerians. However, she asserted that it has failed to address the pressing issues of insecurity, poverty, and corruption that continue to plague the nation.
“Instead, it has been preoccupied with fancy dinners and majoring in the minor, thereby making a mockery of the pain of the citizens.”
She urged the National Assembly to take immediate and decisive action to address the current security crisis, including:
– Calling for an emergency session to discuss the insecurity situation.
– Conducting investigations into the causes of insecurity and the failure of the security agencies in protecting the people.
– Holding the executive accountable for its failure to protect citizens.
– Passing legislation to strengthen security agencies and address the root causes of insecurity.
– Most importantly, summoning Mr. Tinubu to appear before a joint session of the National Assembly to give account of what he is doing to protect Nigerians with the office he got himself sworn into.
She reiterated that the National Assembly must wake up to its responsibilities and act in the best interests of the people, adding that “we will not be silenced or intimidated. We will continue to demand accountability and good governance.”
