By Nkechi Eze
The Arewa Revival Project (ARP) has challenged former Senator Dino Melaye to provide verifiable evidence to support his description of the 10th National Assembly, particularly the Senate under the leadership of Senator Godswill Akpabio, as the worst in Nigeria’s democratic history.
The organisation said Melaye’s assessment was sweeping and lacked an objective basis, insisting that the performance of the current Senate should be measured against its legislative records, oversight activities and constitutional responsibilities.
According to an official statement signed by its Project Coordinator, Hon. Muttaka Ahmed Ibrahim, ARP acknowledged that criticism of public institutions was a legitimate constitutional right but maintained that such criticism must be supported by facts and credible performance assessments.
The group specifically questioned the parameters and historical comparisons used by Melaye in arriving at his conclusion, urging the former lawmaker to identify the legislative failures and institutional shortcomings that informed his assessment.
Melaye had reportedly accused the Akpabio-led Senate of operating as an extension of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidential Villa, raising concerns about the legislature’s independence and its relationship with the Executive.
However, ARP argued that cooperation between the Executive and Legislature should not automatically be interpreted as a compromise of parliamentary independence.
It maintained that the Constitution does not require the National Assembly to oppose every presidential proposal to establish its independence, stressing that constructive engagement between both arms of government remains necessary for effective democratic governance.
The organisation noted that the legislature’s constitutional responsibilities extend beyond political disagreements to include lawmaking, appropriation, oversight and the protection of the country’s constitutional order.
Defending Akpabio’s leadership, ARP said the Senate President should be assessed based on his legislative activities, management of the upper chamber and contributions to the institution rather than political sentiments.
It, however, acknowledged that the Senate President and other lawmakers must remain accountable to Nigerians and open to public scrutiny.
The group further urged Melaye to provide specific evidence if his allegations were based on concerns about compromised legislative oversight, financial impropriety, misconduct or violations of constitutional provisions.
On the role of opposition in a democracy, ARP said a credible opposition remained essential to strengthening democratic institutions but stressed that political actors should prioritise accountability, expose wrongdoing, offer alternative policy directions and defend citizens’ interests.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to responsible governance, national unity and democratic stability, as well as the Renewed Hope agenda, while calling for accountability across all public institutions.
