The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has reassured of the National Assembly’s commitment to oversight and described it as the pivot of democratic governance.
According to a statement on Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, the lawmaker made the remark while speaking at the 7th annual Senator Abiola Ajimobi Roundtable and the 75th posthumous birthday of the late former governor of Oyo State held at the University of Ibadan. The lawmaker stressed that oversight guaranteed accountability, transparency, and the essential checks and balances that promote efficient use of public funds.
The roundtable, organised by the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies at the University of Ibadan, had the topic:
“Legislative Oversight in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects.”
“The role of legislative oversight in a democratic society cannot be overemphasised. It is the bedrock of democratic governance, ensuring accountability, transparency, and the essential checks and balances that enhance the effective use of public funds,” Jibrin said.
Jibrin, who is also the First Deputy Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, stated that as the government’s watchdog, the legislature played a crucial role in holding the executive branch accountable and ensuring that the interests of the people were served.
“Through oversight, the legislature has the power to investigate government activities, evaluate policies, and monitor the implementation of programmes and activities funded by appropriated public funds.
“As we reflect on the critical issues of national importance, as well as the challenges and prospects of legislative oversight in Nigeria, let me assure Nigerians that the 10th Assembly is committed to performing its duties. We also invite constructive critique of our activities at all times,” Senator Jibrin said in the statement. He commended the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation for maintaining the legacy, principles, and philosophy of the late Oyo governor through the annual roundtable.
He added that the selection of the topic “Legislative Oversight: Its Challenges and Prospects” was timely, as it would allow Nigerians to reflect on the role of the legislature in shaping the nation’s destiny.
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