…Calls for Realistic Expectations, Advocates Transparency and Accountability in Legislative Processes
The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Speakers’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Engr. Yakubu Danladi Salihu, has called on citizens to understand the constitutional role of lawmakers and not expect them to perform tasks beyond their mandate.
Delivering a lecture titled “Citizens Expectations and Legislative Mandate: Legislative Efforts to Close the Gap and Build Public Confidence in Democratic Values” at the Public Lecture of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Danladi-Salihu noted that citizens often expect lawmakers to finance and execute infrastructural projects and foot the bills of individual constituents’ needs, which are outside the constitutional purview of a parliamentarian.
“Some citizens have become disillusioned over the much-heralded democratic gains, and there’s a disconnect between citizens’ expectations and legislative mandate, fueled by perceptions of inefficiency, lack of transparency and seeming oblivion of the people’s needs,” he said.
He emphasized that lawmakers are constitutionally empowered to make laws, represent the people, and hold the executive accountable. “A legislator is fundamentally saddled with the key duty of law-making that would enhance good governance. In addition, he is to oversee that public funds are adequately allocated and expended for genuine purposes,” Danladi-Salihu explained.
On the issue of “budget padding,” Salihu distinguished between legitimate legislative amendments and unauthorized, self-serving alterations. “The term ‘budget padding’ is not defined in Nigerian law or the Constitution. In public discourse, it often refers to illegal or unethical insertion of unapproved or inflated line items into the budget by lawmakers or officials, often for personal gain or political patronage,” he said.
While Danladi-Salihu noted that lawmakers are saddled with responsibility to scrutinize and review budgets, he distinguished between genuine projects and unauthorized, self-serving alterations, which may lead to corruption and abuse of office, highlighting the need for legitimate legislative amendments.
Salihu highlighted the strides the Kwara State House of Assembly is making to instill public confidence, including passing landmark bills, conducting oversight functions and engaging in public hearings, as well as town hall meetings to ensure laws reflect the will of the people.
“The Kwara State House of Assembly has been working diligently to enhance representation, promote transparency, foster accountability, legislate responsively and enhance public participation in the legislative process through technology,” Danladi-Salihu added.
He urged citizens to contribute to establishing virile and sustainable democratic institutions, recognizing the delicate balance between citizens’ expectations and lawmakers’ responsibilities. “We will continue to work tirelessly to build public confidence in our democratic institutions and ensure that our laws reflect the will of the people,” he said.
The Speaker also highlighted the importance of transparency, accountability and inclusivity in legislative processes. “Our legislative processes must be transparent, accessible, and accountable to the public. We must ensure that our oversight functions are effective in holding the executive branch accountable for its actions,” Danladi-Salihu emphasized.
The Engineer tuned politician also called on lawmakers at National and State levels to redouble efforts to meet citizens’ expectations within their constitutional mandate. “We must prioritize transparency, accountability and inclusivity in our legislative processes. By doing so, we can strengthen our democracy and promote the well-being of our citizens,” he said.
Present at the public lecture are the founder of Al-Hikmah University, (Dr.) AbdulRaheem Oladimeji, former Ambassador to Pakistan – Amb. Muhammed Bello Abioye, the Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Prof. Noah Yusuf, among others.
The Speaker was accompanied to the event by the Leader of the House – Hon. Abubakar Oba Magaji (Ilorin Central), Clerk of the House – Alh. Ahmed Olayiwola, Chief Whip – Hon. Ganiyu Abolarin Gabriel (Ekiti), Hon. Rukayat M. Shittu (Owode/Onire), Hon. AGF Salahudeen (Omupo), Hon. Seun Ogunniyi (Ojomu/Balogun) and Hon. Olushola Odetundun (Irepodun)
