It’s risky to Nigeria’s democracy, if parliament operates on part time basis – Senate Spokesman

The spokesman of the 10th Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu reacting to calls for the parliament to operate on part time basis, said, doing so would put the nation’s democracy at risk.

The lawmaker representing Ekiti South Senatorial District, stated this in an interview on Channels Television on Friday amid growing calls for the nation to operate a part time parliamentary system of government.

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He said, if lawmakers in both legislative chambers transition from the current full-time arrangement to a part-time status, democratic institutions and governance structures would be weakened.

He said: “A part-time parliament would mean a part-time democracy,” he said, stressing that the country cannot afford to take such a risk.

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The lawmaker insisted that a part time parliament automatically put Nigeria’s democracy on part time with vulnerabilities, adding that lawmakers in both Chambers bear burdens of their constituents beyond their constitutional responsibilities.

The parliament, he noted, also performs oversight functions and advocates for the needs of the people they represent.
“We go home almost every time, and we are the ones when they give birth to a new baby, they ask for naming ceremony funds. When they are building a new house, it is from us they ask for assistance.

“So, if the parliament was not there, who do you expect that our constituents would run to?
“The parliament is not just to sit down at the plenary and make laws alone. And when we make laws, we follow it up.”

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