Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of Abia South has accused the National Assembly, under Senate President Godswill Akpabio, of failing to hold President Bola Tinubu’s administration accountable due to what he called “state capture.”

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Abaribe explained that while lawmakers approve key policies, budgets, and nominations, it does not mean they personally agree with all executive decisions. He stressed that the broader issue is a legislature and other government arms being subservient to the executive.

He added that despite these constraints, some lawmakers continue to oppose policies they believe are wrong. Abaribe cited examples including the purchase of a presidential plane, irregularities in the Minister of Works’ handling of a signature project, and the absence of competitive bidding for government contracts.

“The point is simple: state capture occurs when all arms of government become subservient to the executive. That is our current reality. It does not mean some of us are not saying this is wrong,” he stated.