Benedict Etanabene, the representative for the Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency in Delta State, has criticized his peers for prioritizing President Bola Tinubu’s approval over the needs of the Nigerian public. Speaking on Arise Television this past Saturday, the Peoples Democratic Party member suggested that many officials seek validation from leadership rather than focusing on their legislative responsibilities.
Etanabene pointed to the hurried nature of the State Police Bill as evidence of this trend. He explained that some lawmakers were more interested in gaining favor from party leadership than in debating the legislation properly. The process, he argued, was rushed to meet executive expectations, leaving little room for a careful, clause-by-clause review of the document.
He noted that even opposition members were caught up in the pressure to conform. According to Etanabene, the bill was quickly introduced and pushed through the House in a single day, forcing legislators to work through the night just to keep pace with the administration’s timeline rather than ensuring the policy was thoroughly scrutinized for the benefit of the nation.
