By Innocent Onoh
The Chief Imam of Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Amidu Sanni, has called on the Nigerian media and civil society organisations (CSOs) to shift their focus beyond the executive arm of government and begin holding the judiciary, legislature, and subnational governments accountable.
Speaking with media professionals in the context of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s two years in office, Prof. Sanni criticized the disproportionate attention given to the presidency, warning that such an imbalance hinders national development.
“I want to strongly suggest that the media and CSOs shine their searchlight on the legislature, judiciary, and subnational governments,” he said. “There are deep-rooted issues of maladministration in these sectors that continue to undermine governance and the political structure.”
Prof. Sanni argued that while the President and, to a lesser extent, his appointees receive constant scrutiny, many state and local governments—which have received substantial resources over the past two years—escape public accountability.
“In the absence of a credible and vibrant opposition and a legislature that often lacks imagination, the media and CSOs must rise to the task as the true regulators of government performance and public accountability,” he noted.
The cleric expressed concern that the judiciary is yet to convince Nigerians of its impartiality, and that the legislature often acts more like a rubber stamp than an independent arm of government.
“We are focusing too much on the President,” he said, “without critically engaging inactive ministers, a frivolous legislature, and a judiciary that sometimes appears to be auctioning justice to the highest bidder.”
He concluded by calling for a more holistic approach to evaluating the administration’s two-year performance, stressing that sustainable reforms must encompass all levels and arms of government.