Senators not elected to fight President, Akpabio declares
Senate President Godswill Akpabio yesterday defended the cordial relationship between the Legislature and the Executive arm of government.
He said the federal lawmakers were not elected to engage in political combat with the Executive, stressing that they are expected to collaborate with the Executive on policies that advance national development.
Akpabio, featuring in the forthcoming State House documentary marking the second anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, highlighted the achievements of the 10th National Assembly.
On the synergy, he said the 10th National Assembly is committed to working in a bi-partisan and constructive manner to improve the lives of Nigerians.
He said: “When elected into the National Assembly, whether in the Senate or the House of Representatives, your constituents will not give you boxing gloves. It’s not a boxing tournament. You are there to work in a bi-partisan manner for the interest of Nigeria.”
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, quoted Akpabio as saying that the cordial Executive/ Legislature is not a sign of weakness, but a deliberate alignment based on a shared national vision.
He queried: “If all your energy is spent fighting the Executive, who then works for the people?”
Akpabio alluded to the uniqueness of the current administration, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and Vice President Kashim Shettima once served in the Senate.
He said their status as former lawmakers has fostered mutual understanding and facilitated smoother legislative-executive engagement.
The Senate President said the National Assembly is working on a bill that would mandate the ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to patronise Made-In-Nigeria vehicles before considering imported vehicles.
He lamented that Nigeria is loosing huge money annually through the importation of vehicles and other goods that could be produced locally.
Akpabio said: “We have started the process of enacting a law to prioritise the procurement of locally assembled automobiles. This is key to reducing capital flight and reviving our industries.”
Akpabio, who lamented the decline of the once-thriving manufacturing and agricultural sectors, said the collapse of the textile industry and key cash crops such as cotton, groundnut, and palm oil are missed opportunities that should be reclaimed.
He said Malaysia has leveraged palm oil to transform its economy, urging Nigeria to draw inspiration from the example.
Akpabio lauded the Tinubu administration’s “Nigeria First” policy, describing it as a bold step toward national industrial self-reliance.
He said the Senate is currently engaging the Raw Materials Research and Development Council to develop policies that would facilitate the local production of goods for domestic consumption.
Akpabio said: “We must ensure that almost everything we consume that can be produced in Nigeria is actually produced in Nigeria. With over 200 million people, our market can sustain local industries.”
The Senate President urged Nigerians to embrace entrepreneurship, saying that small-scale production ventures can be successful, if well managed.
He added: “Even vinegar or bread, if produced and packaged well, can make someone a millionaire in this country.”
The Senate President said the National Assembly is determined to pass legislation that will stimulate industrial growth, reduce reliance on imports and create job opportunities for Nigerians.
On the issue of checks and balances, Akpabio rejected criticisms that the Legislature is a rubber-stamp to the Executive.
He said the National Assembly had on many occasions turned down presidential nominees and amended proposed bills to reflect the public interest.
He added: “People forget that we have made enemies by rejecting some of the President’s nominees. Not everything that comes from the Executive goes back unaltered.”
Akpabio said the duty of the Legislature is not to oppose for the sake of opposition, but to act as a rational filter that scrutinises, amends, and supports policies that benefit the people.
He stressed: “Our job is to cross the T’s and dot the I’s so the President can succeed with the right tools.
“This government is not theoretical—it is action-oriented. In the National Assembly, we are focused on laws that reduce hardship, open the economy, and empower citizens.”
Akpabio spoke on the legislative achievements, including the Students Loan Act (NELFUND), tax reform bills, and the Minimum Wage Bill, describing them as very impactful.
He said the National Assembly would pass more people-centered laws and remain a crucial partner in advancing the goals of the administration.
He added: “We don’t waste time on anything that enhances the lives of Nigerians.”
