‘Tinubu’s grip on National Assembly threatens accountability’

Director-General of the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO), Felix Hassan Hyat, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of worsening poverty and hunger in Nigeria, alleging that 35 million citizens go to bed hungry every night.

Hyat, who spoke at the inauguration of the organisation’s North Central state coordinators, also accused President Bola Tinubu of exerting excessive influence over the National Assembly, warning that this undermines accountability and weakens democratic representation.

He urged the campaign coordinators to take the message of the organisation’s Presidential candidate, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, to households and polling units across the country ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

According to him, the worsening economic situation, insecurity and perceived failure of political representatives to defend the interests of their constituents make a change in leadership imperative.

Hyat argued that elected representatives who claim to stand on Tinubu’s mandate should remember that their positions were secured through votes cast by the electorate.

He alleged that the National Assembly had failed to adequately challenge the President on issues affecting Nigerians, claiming that the legislature had been brought under the President’s influence.

The campaign director-general said the situation had enabled the government to pursue policies without sufficient scrutiny, insisting that elected officials must be held accountable to the people who entrusted them with public office.

Hyat, however, acknowledged the challenge of contesting against an incumbent administration with access to substantial political and institutional resources, urging campaign officials to remain united and committed to their assignment.