Activist Aisha Yesufu has criticised the National Assembly for what she described as its failure to protect Nigerians amid worsening insecurity across the country.
In an open letter released on Monday, Yesufu said the legislature—expected to be the “bedrock of democracy”—had neglected its duty to hold the executive accountable despite the rising cases of killings, kidnappings and violent attacks nationwide.
She noted that the parliament was created to defend citizens and strengthen democratic governance, but alleged that lawmakers had abandoned these responsibilities.
“The legislative arm is supposed to be the activist in government. The voice for the voiceless,” she stated.
Expressing concern over the security situation, Yesufu said Nigerians were living in constant fear.
“Today, the Nigerian people are being hunted like animals, abducted or killed in places of worship, schools, roads, farms, markets and even in their homes where they ought to be safest. Nowhere is safe in Nigeria and no one is safe in Nigeria,” she wrote.
She accused lawmakers of defending the executive instead of demanding accountability, arguing that their silence had contributed to the country’s deteriorating security environment.
“With all of these happening, the National Assembly members have not deemed it fit to raise their collective voices for the people that sent them to the National Assembly. Instead, they have raised their voices in defending the executive they should be holding accountable,” she said.
Yesufu further criticised the legislature for focusing on trivial matters rather than tackling urgent national issues.
“It has been preoccupied with fancy dinners and majoring in the minor, thereby making a mockery of the pain of the citizens,” she added.
Describing the Assembly’s performance as a collective failure, she said lawmakers must take responsibility for the nation’s situation.
“Every member of the National Assembly should bow his or her head in shame, for you all have collectively failed the people of Nigeria,” she said.
Yesufu called for immediate action, including an emergency session on insecurity, investigations into the failures of security agencies, accountability from the executive, and summoning President Bola Tinubu to address Nigerians on measures being taken to protect lives.
Despite her strong criticism, she maintained that Nigerians would continue to push for good governance.
“We will not be silenced or intimidated. We will continue to demand accountability and good governance,” she declared.
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