Senate President Godswill Akpabio has stated that lawmakers were not elected to clash with the Executive arm of government, but rather to support and advance policies that drive national development.
Speaking in a documentary marking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s two years in office, Akpabio made it clear that the National Assembly’s duty is not to oppose the Executive arm of government but to support meaningful policies for the development of the country.
According to him, Nigerians elect lawmakers to work in unity, not to go to war with the presidency.
“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 bipartisan manner for the interest of Nigeria,” Akpabio said.
He noted that the current administration has shown a rare blend of unity. The President, Vice President, and First Lady are all former senators, which he says has helped foster a smooth working relationship between the National Assembly and the Executive.
Akpabio revealed that one of the top priorities of the legislature is to pass a bill that will require ministries and agencies to patronize made-in-Nigeria vehicles before considering imported ones. “We have started the bill for enacting legislation to enable us first purchase automobiles from Nigerian companies before thinking of importing them,” he said.
He pointed out how Nigeria loses billions of dollars each year by importing goods that could be produced locally. He lamented the decline of industries such as textile, cotton, palm oil, and groundnut. “Over 50 textile companies have left Nigeria,” he said, adding that other countries like Malaysia have benefited by investing in sectors Nigeria once led.
Akpabio commended the “Nigeria First” initiative being pushed by President Tinubu and said laws will soon be introduced to support local production across various sectors. He disclosed that talks were ongoing with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council to encourage local manufacturing.
“We are going to make laws and produce bills that ensure almost every item we consume that can be produced in Nigeria is produced in Nigeria,” he stated.
On the issue of accountability, Akpabio rejected the claim that the National Assembly rubber-stamps everything from the presidency. He explained that not all nominees sent by the President are approved, stating, “It’s not everything the President brings that he takes back the same way.”
He affirmed that the 10th National Assembly is focused on laws that directly impact citizens, citing the Student Loan Act, Tax reforms, and the Minimum Wage Bill as part of their achievements.
“This government is not a government of theory; it’s a government of action. So, for us in the National Assembly, we are very focused on pro-people legislation,” Akpabio added.
He assured Nigerians that more people-oriented laws are in the works—laws aimed at reducing hardship, boosting the economy, and empowering youth.
