Akpabio-led NASS should be farming sugarcane in Ogbomosho – Adeyanju
Activist Lawyer Criticizes National Assembly Leadership
Deji Adeyanju, an activist lawyer, has called for an overhaul of the National Assembly, suggesting that its current members, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, are unqualified to serve as legislators. During an interview with African Independent Television (AIT) regarding the recent Electoral Act Amendment Bill, Adeyanju described the National Assembly as an “enemy of Nigerians.”
On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu officially signed the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026 into law. However, Adeyanju argued that this legislation reverts Nigeria’s electoral process to the vulnerabilities of 2003, when election results could be manipulated without consequence.
“They have taken us back to 2003 where people can just wake up and write results,” Adeyanju stated. He expressed skepticism about the prospects of meaningful electoral reform under Akpabio’s oversight. “What are you expecting from Akpabio?” he asked, reflecting on his decision to decline involvement in electoral reform advocacy from partisan groups.
The activist condemned the National Assembly, labeling it “doomed” and “irreparable,” and likened its actions to those of “political armed robbers.” He criticized the current state of Nigerian democracy, stating, “Nigerians have gone to the dogs. If not, how can you conduct this kind of assault against democracy?”
Adeyanju urged that the financial resources allocated to legislators be redirected to more productive uses, suggesting that the funds would be better spent strengthening the judiciary. He remarked, “What do we need a National Assembly for if this is what they are buying cars yearly for?”
The lawyer proposed a radical shift in the political landscape, arguing that politics should be treated as a hobby rather than a profession. He advocated for professionals, including lawyers, medical doctors, and engineers, to engage in public service voluntarily, suggesting that doing so might change the current political culture.
