By Charles Maduka
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has stated that members of the National Assembly were elected to collaborate with the Executive arm of government, not to oppose it. He made the remarks in a feature documentary marking two years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to Akpabio, legislators are expected to work in unity for the progress of the nation rather than engage in confrontations. “Your constituents did not elect you with boxing gloves,” he said, emphasizing the importance of bipartisan cooperation.
He attributed the smooth relationship between the Executive and the legislature to a shared commitment to Nigeria’s development. He highlighted the uniqueness of the current administration, where the President, Vice President, and First Lady are all former senators, promoting mutual understanding.
Akpabio revealed that the National Assembly is working on a bill to mandate ministries and agencies to prioritize locally assembled vehicles over imported ones, as part of efforts to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign goods. He blamed the collapse of industries such as textile, groundnut, cotton, and palm oil on excessive importation, urging a return to domestic production.
He praised the government’s “Nigeria First” policy and said consultations are ongoing to draft laws that would boost local production and revive industries.
Akpabio dismissed claims that the legislature acts as a rubber stamp, stating that the Senate has rejected some of President Tinubu’s nominees and adjusted executive proposals when necessary. He stressed that every bill from the Executive is thoroughly reviewed to ensure it serves Nigerians’ interests.
Highlighting legislative achievements, he cited the Student Loan Act, Tax Reform Bills, and the Minimum Wage Bill as examples of people-focused laws passed by the 10th Assembly. He assured that more laws are on the way to ease economic hardship, empower youth, and grow the economy.
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