ADC National Legislatures Forum warns Tinubu administration over institutional decline and Senate leadership conduct

The ADC National Legislatures Forum warns President Tinubu against ignoring the opposition and accuses Godswill Akpabio of destroying the National Assembly.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 9:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Daily Post Nigeria

Opposition Voices Sound Alarm Over Executive Overreach

The African Democratic Congress National Legislatures Forum has formally warned President Bola Tinubu’s administration against dismissing the party’s moderate political stance as a lack of resolve. During a high profile press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, forum representatives emphasized that while the ADC remains committed to humane political engagement, it will not remain silent in the face of perceived institutional failures. The forum’s spokesperson clarified that the party is not seeking favors but is demanding that the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission fulfill their constitutional mandates without executive interference.

Allegations of Legislative Decadence Under Akpabio

Chile Igbawua, a former member of the House of Representatives, leveled severe criticisms against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of effectively destroying the integrity of the Nigerian legislature. According to Igbawua, the current leadership of the National Assembly has abdicated its role as a separate arm of government, instead becoming a defensive shield for executive functionaries. The forum expressed a deep sense of shame regarding the current state of the legislature, contrasting it with previous assemblies that maintained a more robust check on executive power.

Concerns Over Electoral Umpire Neutrality

The ADC forum explicitly declared a lack of confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission as it is currently constituted. Central to this grievance is the allegation that Senate leadership has transitioned into a public relations role for the INEC Chairman, defending the commission against public accusations rather than providing oversight. This perceived alliance between the head of the legislature and the electoral umpire has raised significant concerns within the opposition regarding the fairness of future electoral processes and the erosion of democratic safeguards.