By Nelson Ogbu
Former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has said Nigerian legislators who lack strong grassroots support often become political hostages in the hands of state governors.
Mark made the assertion in Abuja while chairing the public presentation of the book The Burden of Legislators in Nigeria at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Conference Centre, where he delivered a blunt assessment of the power imbalance between the executive and the legislature in Nigeria’s democratic system.
According to him, although the legislature is the backbone of democracy, it remains the most vulnerable and most attacked arm of government, constantly under pressure from governors, political parties, the judiciary, the electorate, and its own internal weaknesses.
He noted that governors, as de facto leaders of party structures in their states, wield enormous influence over lawmakers. Mark warned that at the slightest provocation, a governor can deny a legislator a party ticket or deploy state power to frustrate legislators, especially those in opposition parties.
“Once you are elected, the problem becomes compounded,” Mark said, adding that many legislators operate in constant fear of governors who control party machinery and political structures.
However, he stressed that the situation is reversible. According to him, when a legislator is deeply rooted in his or her constituency with massive grassroots backing, the balance of power changes.
“If you are strong in your constituency, instead of being at the mercy of your governor, the governor will be at your mercy,” he said.
The former Senate President explained that this conviction informed his decision to begin his political career in the legislature—not because it was glamorous, but because it remains the most important pillar of democracy.
He urged Nigerians to exercise patience with lawmakers, noting that legislators are often burdened with responsibilities arising from weak grassroots governance and failed service delivery at other levels of government.
Author of the book, Senator Effiong Bob, said the memoir is intended as a practical handbook for current and aspiring legislators. He explained that it details the path to parliament, the realities of legislative work, and the pressures of representation.
Bob added that the book confronts key challenges such as excessive constituency demands and the damaging influence of political godfatherism, particularly in candidate selection processes.
The event attracted prominent political figures, including Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Enoh, and Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio. The book was reviewed by Professor Maxwell Gidado, SAN, and published by Premium Times.
