Former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, has called on members of the 10th National Assembly to place national interest above partisan considerations, asserting that history will judge them more by the positions they take on critical national issues than by the volume of legislation they produce.
Mr Sani made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja during the National Assembly Open Week, an annual initiative aimed at strengthening public engagement with the legislature by allowing citizens to interact directly with lawmakers and gain insight into parliamentary activities.
Speaking at the event, the former lawmaker described the programme as a significant democratic innovation that promotes transparency and accountability by opening the doors of the legislature to Nigerians. According to him, the initiative provides citizens with the opportunity to understand better the legislative process, the conduct of parliamentary oversight, and how elected representatives discharge their constitutional responsibilities. He noted that such engagements help bridge the gap between lawmakers and the public, while reinforcing confidence in democratic institutions.
Beyond the programme’s significance, Mr Sani challenged serving lawmakers to recognise the lasting impact of their decisions. He argued that legislative legacy is not measured by the number of motions moved, bills sponsored or oversight visits undertaken, but by the courage displayed in addressing controversial and nationally important issues.
