Reported by: Puis Althea | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Former Kaduna Central Senator and human rights activist Shehu Sani has issued a powerful challenge to members of the National Assembly, declaring that lawmakers will not be remembered by the number of bills they pass or the oversight functions they perform, but by the courage they show in taking stands on controversial and sensitive national issues.
Speaking at the 2026 National Assembly Open Week, Sani urged legislators to look beyond titles and tenure and focus on the transformative value of their work. He said that lawmakers will not be remembered by the laws they passed, the oversight functions they performed, or the fact that they won and were there, but will be most remembered by the positions they take on matters of controversy and issues sensitive to the nation. The former lawmaker, who represented Kaduna Central in the Eighth Senate, reminded the current crop of legislators that their time in office is fleeting, noting that there are thousands who have been there and have left, and there will be more, but that their children, brothers, and siblings will remember them by the mark they make there.
Delivering a goodwill message during the National Assembly Open Week, Sani described the event as an important innovation that has evolved into a key platform for fostering public engagement and transparency in Nigeria's democratic process. He commended the energy and youthfulness of the current House of Representatives but stressed that the true measure of a lawmaker's legacy lies not in the number of bills passed but in their impact on the ordinary Nigerian. Reflecting on the evolving nature of the legislature, the former lawmaker acknowledged the distinct challenges faced by each generation of lawmakers, quoting revolutionary thinker Frantz Fanon: "Every generation must, out of relative obscurity, discover its mission. This House has consistently reflected the drama, the conflicts, and the ideals that shape our nation."
Sani also cautioned against the risks of either extreme in legislative-executive relations, describing a combative legislature as potentially destabilising and a compliant legislature as a breeding ground for tyranny. He praised the current assembly's efforts to balance independence with responsibility, noting that one unique thing about this house is the agility, the energy of its members, and the youthfulness of its members over the years, and that they have been able to demonstrate that by the records and also by their stewardship. He stressed that the parliament is not an extension of the executive or a unit of the executive, but is established by those who conceived the idea of democracy to perform its function, oversight, and ensure accountability in the affairs of governance.
The 2026 National Assembly Open Week, themed "Three Years of the 10th Assembly: Advancing Transparency, Inclusion and Reform," is scheduled to hold from July 14 to 16 at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja. The three-day event is the House of Representatives' flagship public engagement initiative, designed to deepen citizens' participation in the legislative process, showcase the achievements and impact of the House over the past three years, and reinforce the principles of transparency, accountability, inclusion, and responsive governance. Activities will begin on Tuesday, July 14, with the opening ceremony and the unveiling of the Three-Year Legislative Scorecard in the House of Representatives Chamber, followed by an Oversight, Constituency Outreach and Service Delivery Exchange. On Wednesday, July 15, a National Security and Traditional Rulers Roundtable will hold, followed by a National Dialogue on the Electoral College Model for the Special Seats Bill for Women and Persons With Disabilities. The final day, Thursday, July 16, will feature a Legislative Business Breakfast Meeting, a Youth Townhall, and a Closing Cocktail.
The Open Week is expected to bring together senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, security chiefs, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, business leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders to engage in discussions on governance, security, legislative performance and democratic reforms. Invited guests include the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and the governors of the 36 states, among others.
Shehu Sani, a former senator, author, playwright, and human rights activist, is the President of the Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria. He has been a consistent voice for democratic accountability and legislative independence. In previous engagements with the National Assembly, he has cautioned lawmakers against allowing their influence to be diminished by their actions, warning that if they turn themselves into stooges, they will lose that respect. His remarks at the 2026 NASS Open Week reflect his long-standing belief that the true test of legislative service is not the number of bills passed but the courage to stand for what is right, even in the face of controversy.
As Sani concluded his address, he reminded lawmakers that their actions today will form part of Nigeria's history tomorrow. He noted that whoever is a sitting legislator today will one day be an ex-legislator, and that they don't know how long they'll be there, but the question is what impact their work will have on ordinary Nigerians. The challenge he has laid down for the 10th Assembly is clear: be remembered not for the laws you passed, but for the stands you took when it mattered most.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments