Senate President Godswill Akpabio has stressed that legislators must prioritize collaboration over conflict with the Executive to drive national progress.
In a documentary marking President Bola Tinubu’s two-year tenure, Akpabio asserted, “When elected into the National Assembly… 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 highlighted the legislature’s cordial ties with Tinubu’s administration, noting its uniqueness as Nigeria’s first government led by former senators. “If you spend all your energy fighting the Executive, who will work for Nigeria?” he questioned.
Akpabio highlighted some key legislative efforts by the 10th Assembly, including a bill mandating ministries and agencies to prioritize Nigerian-assembled vehicles.
“We lose billions of dollars annually importing vehicles… that can be produced locally,” Akpabio said, lamenting the collapse of industries like textiles, cotton, and palm oil. “Look at Malaysia… leveraging palm oil to boost their economies,” he added.
The Senate President endorsed Tinubu’s “Nigeria First” policy, vowing to back laws promoting domestic production. “Taking Nigeria First means bringing industries back to serve our population of over 200 million,” he stated, urging support for local entrepreneurs. “Even if you produce vinegar… it will fly. With our population, producing bread could make you a millionaire.”
Addressing claims of rubber-stamping, Akpabio countered, “People forget we’ve made enemies by rejecting some presidential nominees. It’s not everything the President brings that he takes back the same way.” He cited the National Assembly’s role in scrutinizing bills like the Student Loan Act, tax reforms, and minimum wage legislation.
“This government is not of theory; it’s of action,” he concluded, pledging continued focus on laws to “reduce hardship, open the economy, and empower youth.”
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