Notwithstanding efforts by the outgoing Ninth National Assembly to wash off its tag of ‘rubber stamp’, Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe, on Saturday, said he was in agreement with Nigerians that the Ninth Senate was actually rubber stamp.

Yaroe who represents Adamawa South spoke while contributing to debate during the valedictory session of the Senate in Abuja.

He insisted that the recent suspension and arrest of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele over corruption allegations by the Department of State Services was an indictment of the National Assembly for failure to carry out its oversight activities as required.

He urged the incoming 10th National Assembly to be alive to their responsibilities by being a watchdog of the executive.

He said: “I agree with those who say the ninth Senate is a rubber stamp.

“Furthermore the suspension of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele and subjecting him to investigation is a mild indictment of the National Assembly. This is so because if we had done our oversight duties properly, we would not have gotten to this level.

“I hope the 10th Senate will take its job as the watchdog of the Executive more seriously. I also hope that the 10th Senate will operate and adhere to its own rules, take their rules on the procedures of the bills in rule 76, 77 and 78 for instance those bills for second reading are circulated to all senators.

“But very often, bills will pass first and second reading without senators searching for them. I hope the 10th Senate will conduct its business more properly.” (The Nation)

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