As the 10th Senate marks nearly two years in office, its role in legislation, national security, and executive relations has come under scrutiny. In this interview, with JOHN AKUBO, the Senate’s spokesperson and representative of Ekiti South, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, with characteristic clarity, shares insights into the Red Chamber’s progress, challenges, and vision for Nigeria’s future.
How would you rate the performance of the 10th Senate so far?
The 10th Senate, in almost two years of its existence, has performed very well. It has been progressive, people-centred, and cooperative with other arms of government. Some people may expect the Senate to constantly be at odds with the executive, thinking that friction equates to effectiveness. But when we work in harmony with the executive to pass legislation that benefits Nigerians, they label us a “rubber-stamp” assembly. I ask: Is it rubber-stamping to support the president’s proposal for an education fund to help indigent students return to school? Or when we legislate on minimum wage and increase it by 300 per cent for workers and even more for judicial officers? If that’s called rubber-stamping, then I say it’s a good stamp for the benefit of Nigerians.
On the economy, the 10th Senate took bold steps to address the N30 trillion Ways and Means overdraft, which had accumulated over time. We pushed the executive to take responsibility and begin clearing the debt. A legislature that holds the executive accountable in such a way cannot be seen as having failed the people.
On security, we inherited a decade-long challenge, one that once forced election postponements due to large swaths of territory being overrun. Through our legislation, oversight, and interventions, we have supported the armed forces and made progress. Today, no significant portion of our land is under the control of insurgents. Security threats exist globally, from Germany to the U.S., and the question is always: What is being done to mitigate them? In Nigeria, the Senate has acted, and we are seeing results.
We have considered over 600 bills, many of which have scaled through various readings, with some already signed into law. A number of these laws have led to the establishment of higher institutions focused on technical skills, health sciences, artificial intelligence, and more. These institutions are giving our youth opportunities that previously led many to seek education abroad.
In addition to bills, we have moved over 1,103 motions, with resolutions passed to the executive and judiciary. We’ve conducted oversight, summoned agencies, and we are currently investigating the petroleum sector and fuel subsidy regime.
Security, however, is not just a government responsibility. We’ve seen instances where state governors dismissed traditional rulers for aiding kidnappers. Citizens, too, have been complicit —supplying food and ammunition to criminals. That’s why we proposed a National Security Summit, bringing together all stakeholders, critical and otherwise, so we can holistically address the problem. Security, like politics, is local, and we must treat its root causes, not just symptoms.
I don’t like to rate myself, but when you are doing well, your conscience tells you. We’ve done well, but we’re only halfway through our term. The next two years will see even more – electoral reforms, constitutional amendments, regional development strategies, economic revitalisation, and a new phase of security reforms based on the outcome of our summit.
Critics often accuse the Senate of being a rubber-stamp, especially following its handling of the emergency rule issue in Rivers State. What’s your response?
The Constitution, in Section 305, permits the president to declare a state of emergency when national security or public safety is under threat. The events in Rivers State fit that description — a build-up of lawlessness and anarchy that required urgent action.
This isn’t the first time a president has invoked that constitutional provision. The procedure is clearly outlined. Once an emergency is declared, the National Assembly must convene and deliberate, but such deliberations, as per our standing orders and Senate Rule 134(1-5), must happen behind closed doors.
At that executive session, senators debated, argued, disagreed, and eventually reached a consensus. That conclusion, by Senate rules, cannot be re-debated in open plenary. So, the only thing that comes to the floor is the final resolution, not the debate itself.
Unfortunately, in our society, everyone assumes the role of legislator, lawyer, economist, and referee. We interpret the Constitution emotionally rather than legally. This misunderstanding led to misguided criticisms. But we followed due process, both constitutionally and procedurally. That is the truth.
What of the allegations of ₦2 billion disbursements to senators?
You hear people shouting that senators were given ₦2 billion each. I ask: Where did that figure come from? Nobody in the Senate got that kind of money. Let’s be clear – the projects in question are what we call ZIP —Zonal Intervention Projects. I’ve always told Nigerians, especially the media and so-called romantic elites, pick up the budget, look at ZIP, and monitor it. See how much is allocated per state.
Take Lagos, for example. We have three senators, 24 members in the House of Representatives, making 27 legislators in total. The ZIP allocation for all of Lagos might be just ₦1 billion. That means 27 constituencies must share this amount. Each will get projects worth only around ₦45 million. What can you do with ₦45 million? Go and check it.
And it’s not like this money comes directly to the lawmakers. You don’t get it in your account. What happens is that you fill out a form indicating what projects should be executed — say, one in Alimosho, another in Epe, and so on. In my own case, I cover six local governments, 14 towns, and several villages. As a senator, I get to nominate projects worth about ₦200 million across all these communities.
Now think about it: Can ₦200 million build a school or hospital across that span? Can it even buy an ambulance for each area? So what do we do? We break it down. Maybe ₦50 million goes to educational materials; ₦12 million to another small project. Maybe ₦30 million for repainting a palace gate. We stretch it thin. So, while the number of projects looks large, what is the actual value of those numbers? At the end of the day, it is still ₦200 million total.
That’s why the National Assembly is always an easy target, like how schools and markets are soft targets for Boko Haram. In this case, we are the soft target of the romantic elite who manipulate public perception. But despite this, the 10th Senate has done well. We haven’t given our best yet but we are determined to improve.
What is the Senate doing to bridge the information gap?
For the first time, we’ve launched a Senate magazine to communicate our agenda. People can read and see for themselves what the National Assembly is doing on youth development, women empowerment, gender equity, electoral reform, consumer protection, infrastructure, and judicial reforms. We’re actively sharpening our legislative process and working with urgency to ensure the best outcomes for Nigerians.
On security and terrorism sponsorship allegations, let’s be honest. Some people like to grandstand. They say the sponsors of Boko Haram and banditry are known and that some foreign governments provided a list. But where is the evidence? If you have seen someone funding terrorism, say it. Provide the proof. It’s not enough to just claim that politicians or policymakers are involved. Who are they? Name them. Don’t just do “microphone politics” to win applause.
Remember when they said a country like the UAE had named some sponsors of terrorism? Where were those romantic elites then? Why didn’t they demand action? Why didn’t the government of that time do anything with that information?
Ironically, some of the very people who ignored the report are the ones now accusing others of inaction on security.
We in the Senate are not law enforcement agents. If anyone has proof that a Nigerian elite is sponsoring terrorism, they should go to the authorities.
That’s something we can then follow up on through oversight. But without evidence, we are not in a position to act.
What does the Senate want to achieve with the upcoming National Security Summit?
Now, about the National Security Summit, some fear it might be another talk show, like the 2014 National Conference. But let’s not forget – the same government that convened that 2014 conference also failed to implement its report for two years. Why? Why hold a summit and ignore its findings?
So, should we now blame individuals who weren’t in government then but are in government now?
Let me make something clear – the current leadership of the Senate is not the same as back then. Senator Akpabio wasn’t the Senate President. Rt. Hon. Abbas wasn’t a Speaker. I wasn’t the Senate spokesperson either. So, yes, government is a continuum, but human chemistry is not. Strategy, structure, and intent are different now, and so the results will also be different.
Are you giving assurance of actionable outcomes?
This time, it will be different. Show me one initiative under this Senate where public participation was invited and the outcome wasn’t followed through. There’s none. The results and reports from this Security Summit —because they will come from credible Nigerian stakeholders — will be fully implemented.
If it requires legislation, we’ll pursue it. If there is a need to pressure the executive, we’ll apply it. The goal is to identify the real problems and solve them together.
As our mothers say, “You don’t shave a person’s head in his or her absence.” So, let every Nigerian be present at the table. That way, when we’re “shaving heads,” no one will be absent. Everyone will be involved and everyone will be accountable.
