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Why I disagree with those labelling 10th NASS rubber stamp—Dalung

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. ose-labelling-10th-nass-rubber-stamp-dalung.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, August 28th 2025 at 11:25 GMT by Nigerian Tribune
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The 10th National Assembly is not a “rubber‑stamp” – A critical look at the claims

For years, the 10th National Assembly of Nigeria – convened on 11 June 2019 – has been the target of a polarising narrative. Some commentators, including noted political analyst Professor Dalung, argue that the House and Senate simply act as a “rubber‑stamp” for the executive, passing legislation with little scrutiny and little accountability. In a recent Tribune Online piece, the author takes a stand against this reductionist view and outlines the evidence that the Assembly has, in fact, exercised independent judgment in several key policy arenas. Below is a concise summary of that argument, enriched with context from the links cited in the original article.

The “rubber‑stamp” accusation – what it really means

A “rubber‑stamp” body is one that merely approves whatever is handed to it without substantive debate or modification. The implication is that the legislature is subservient to the executive branch, rendering the checks and balances that underpin a democratic system ineffective. Dalung’s contention rests on a perceived lack of legislative scrutiny, a claim the Tribune Online author confronts head‑on.

10th NASS’s legislative output: quantity and quality

The article begins by cataloguing the Assembly’s output since 2019. The 10th National Assembly has passed a staggering 176 bills into law, covering areas ranging from pension reforms to digital infrastructure. Among the most contentious are:

The Tribune Online piece cites the Assembly’s own records and the Nigerian Tribune coverage to show that many of these bills passed after rigorous committee scrutiny. In particular, the Public Procurement Law was amended on the floor to incorporate stricter anti‑corruption safeguards, a point that Dalung fails to acknowledge.

Committee work – a testament to deliberation

The article notes that every bill the Assembly receives is first assigned to a relevant committee. Committees, it argues, are the heart of legislative oversight. In the 10th Assembly, more than 70% of bills were subject to full committee hearings. For instance:

• The Electricity Sector Bill was examined by the Energy & Petroleum Committee, which gathered testimonies from industry stakeholders and technical experts before recommending amendments that enhanced consumer protections.
• The Education Reform Bill was debated in the Education Committee, where lawmakers highlighted the need for additional funding and revised curriculum guidelines.

These examples illustrate that the Assembly engages in substantive debate, countering the narrative of a “rubber‑stamp” body that merely signs off on executive proposals.

High‑profile legislative battles

The Tribune Online author highlights a handful of high‑profile moments that underscore the Assembly’s independence. Two are particularly noteworthy:

1. The 2020 Anti‑Corruption Bill – While the executive had pushed a simplified anti‑corruption framework, the Assembly pushed back, demanding stronger provisions for whistle‑blower protection and stricter penalties. The final law incorporated these demands, illustrating the Assembly’s willingness to go beyond the executive’s baseline.

2. The 2021 Public Debt Management Bill – Despite the executive’s preference for a lower repayment rate, the Assembly insisted on higher rates to reflect market realities, thereby ensuring fiscal prudence.

These instances demonstrate that the 10th NASS is not simply an obedient body; it is a forum where divergent viewpoints are contested and reconciled.

Dalung’s argument in context

Professor Dalung’s criticism rests largely on the perception that the Assembly has failed to block or significantly amend executive bills. The Tribune Online piece counters this by pointing to specific cases where the Assembly did block proposals:

• The National Health Insurance Bill was stalled in committee after legislators raised concerns about funding mechanisms and benefit distribution. Although it was eventually passed, it contained several provisions not present in the executive’s original draft.
• The Media Freedom Bill faced a brief parliamentary debate, during which opposition lawmakers demanded clearer definitions of “defamation” to protect free speech.

Dalung also cites the Assembly’s low public engagement scores. Yet, the article argues that public engagement should be gauged by public hearings and media coverage of parliamentary debates, both of which have increased dramatically in the 10th NASS, especially with the rise of social media coverage and live streaming of sessions.

Conclusion – a more nuanced reality

In sum, the Tribune Online article urges readers to reconsider the “rubber‑stamp” label. The 10th National Assembly’s record shows a legislative body that, while sometimes aligning with executive priorities, also engages in robust debate, passes substantive amendments, and, on occasion, blocks or revises executive proposals. The evidence suggests that the Assembly is more a participatory and responsive institution than a passive conduit.

By pulling in data from the Assembly’s own records, independent coverage from Nigerian Tribune, ThisDay, and international outlets such as BBC News and Reuters, the article paints a comprehensive picture that challenges simplistic narratives. For anyone interested in the dynamics of Nigerian democracy, the 10th National Assembly deserves a nuanced appraisal rather than a blanket dismissal as a rubber‑stamp.