Politics beyond facebook: Senate is ultimately measured by performance - Blueprint Newspapers Limited
Spread the wordThe recent exchange between Senator Lawal Adamu Usman and former Senator Shehu Sani has once again ignited political debate in Kaduna Central. While social media users have been entertained by. . .
Spread the wordThe recent exchange between Senator Lawal Adamu Usman and former Senator Shehu Sani has once again ignited political debate in Kaduna Central. While social media users have been entertained by the sharp exchanges, the real question before the electorate is much simpler: How should a senator be judged?Former Senator Shehu Sani argues that legislators who criticize government policies only on Facebook, rather than on the Senate floor, are either cowards or hypocrites. According to him, the National Assembly, not social media is the proper arena for opposition. That argument has considerable merit. Parliamentary democracy expects lawmakers to debate, oppose and influence legislation inside the chamber where official records are kept. However, there is another equally important dimension to representation. Senator Lawal Adamu Usman has responded not merely with counter-insults but by pointing to what he considers measurable legislative achievements. He cites bills on compulsory universal basic education, the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre in Rigasa, the proposed Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences in Kaduna, and other legislative initiatives. Whether all these bills eventually become law is another matter, but sponsoring legislation is undeniably one of the constitutional duties of a senator. In every democracy, legislators are elected to perform three principal functions: make laws, oversee the executive, and represent their constituents. Public commentary, media appearances and activism may enrich public discourse, but they do not replace these constitutional responsibilities. This is where the debate becomes interesting. Shehu Sani has built a reputation over many years as one of Nigeria’s most outspoken public commentators. His interventions on national issues are often bold, witty and widely shared. His social media influence is unquestionable. But influence on Facebook and influence inside the Senate are not always the same thing. A legislator’s enduring legacy is ultimately reflected in official records, legislative contributions and constituency representation. On the other hand, legislative performance should also not be measured solely by the number of bills sponsored. Many excellent bills never become law, while some lawmakers distinguish themselves through oversight, committee work, constituency engagement or compelling debates. Therefore, no single indicator tells the whole story. What voters should ask is a broader set of questions:Which senator has been more visible in legislative work?Who has attracted more developmental projects?Who has better represented Kaduna Central’s interests in Abuja?Who has effectively held the executive accountable?Who has left tangible evidence beyond political rhetoric?Politics is becoming increasingly driven by social media. Viral posts can create impressions that sometimes outweigh actual performance. Yet elections should not be decided by who writes the sharpest Facebook post but by who best discharges the constitutional mandate entrusted to him. From the available evidence, Senator Lawal Adamu Usman appears to have chosen to defend himself by highlighting legislative initiatives and constituency projects rather than relying solely on rhetorical exchanges. That is a legitimate basis on which voters may assess his stewardship, even as critics remain free to scrutinize whether those achievements have translated into concrete outcomes. Ultimately, democracy is healthiest when political contests move beyond personal attacks and return to facts. The people of Kaduna Central deserve a campaign centred on legislative records, public accountability and competing visions for the future; not merely a contest over who dominates the Facebook timeline. The Senate is remembered by its Hansard, not its hashtags. Spread the word