President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has said that lawmakers were not elected to confront the Executive arm of government but to collaborate in fostering policies that advance Nigeria’s development.
Akpabio made the statement in an upcoming documentary to mark the second anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, according to presidential spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
Reflecting on the need for synergy between the legislative and executive arms, Akpabio 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 bipartisan manner for the interest of Nigeria.”
He stressed that the relationship between both arms had remained cordial over the past two years, largely due to a shared vision for national progress.
“If you spend all your energy fighting the Executive, who will work for Nigeria?” he asked.
Highlighting the uniqueness of the current administration, Akpabio noted that the President, First Lady, and Vice President are all former senators — a dynamic he said has fostered understanding and cooperation.
On legislative priorities, Akpabio disclosed that the National Assembly is working on a bill to mandate Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to patronise locally assembled vehicles over imported alternatives.
“We lose billions of dollars annually importing vehicles and other items that can be produced locally,” he said.
He underscored the urgent need to revive Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, citing the collapse of key industries such as textiles, cotton, groundnut, and palm oil — once pillars of the economy.
“Over 50 textile companies have left Nigeria. The cotton industry collapsed. The groundnut industry collapsed. The palm oil industry collapsed. Look at countries like Malaysia that have leveraged palm oil to boost their economies,” he lamented.
Akpabio commended the “Nigeria First” policy of the Tinubu administration, calling it a “fantastic” initiative that deserves full legislative support. He said discussions were ongoing with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council to formulate laws that would ensure local production of items consumed in Nigeria.
“Taking Nigeria first means bringing industries back to the country to serve our population of over 200 million,” he said.
He also encouraged support for local entrepreneurs, highlighting the business potential in everyday consumer goods.
“Even if you produce vinegar and bag it well, it will fly. If you produce bread, you will be a millionaire considering the kind of population that we have.”
On the issue of checks and balances, Akpabio refuted suggestions that the legislature is merely rubber-stamping executive decisions. He revealed that the National Assembly has rejected presidential nominees when necessary.
“It’s not everything the President brings that he takes back the same way,” he added.
According to him, the Assembly’s role is to scrutinise, amend, and support policies that align with national interest.
“Our job is to make sure we cross the T’s and dot the I’s to assist the President in having the best for the Nigerian population.”
He assured Nigerians that the 10th National Assembly remains committed to passing pro-people legislation that aligns with the administration’s reform agenda.
“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,” he said.
Akpabio cited landmark bills passed in the last two years, including the Student Loan Act (NELFUND), Tax Reform Bills, and the Minimum Wage Bill, as proof of the legislature’s commitment to impactful governance.
“I assure Nigerians that more people-focused laws are coming: laws that will reduce hardship, open the economy, and empower young people,” he concluded.
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