Many politicians focused on impressing Tinubu than serving Nigerians – PDP Rep

Delta State lawmaker Benedict Etanabene of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concern that many politicians are more focused on impressing President Bola Tinubu than serving Nigerians. This assertion came during an interview on Arise Television, where Etanabene highlighted what he perceived as the hasty passage of the State Police Bill.

According to Etanabene, politicians are motivated by the desire to be praised by their leaders, regardless of the righteousness or wrongfulness of their actions. He noted that during discussions and when people gather, their primary concern is not about whether their actions were correct, but rather obtaining the approval and admiration of their superiors.

Etanabene further explained that opposition party members would have voted in favor of the executive version of the State Police Bill, yet they were primarily concerned with the ability to debate each clause of the bill. As opposition members, they had access to the complete document, which allowed them to scrutinize the bill clause by clause.

However, after the bill was initially passed some months ago, it was subsequently rescinded during a Wednesday meeting of that week. An alternative version was introduced by the executive on the following Wednesday, leading to a rushed debate and eventual passage by Thursday evening.

Etanabene recounted that some members of his party were so preoccupied with the rush of the debate that they could not sleep well that night, as they attempted to examine the bill clause by clause. His remark reflects a broader concern about the balance between expediency and thorough scrutiny in legislative processes, particularly when it comes to bills that may impact citizens significantly.