Legislators not given boxing gloves to fight executive – Akpabio urges support for Tinubu’s government
Nigerian Senate President Godswill Akpabio has emphasized the importance of collaboration between lawmakers and the executive.
Akpabio made the remark in solidarity of an upcoming documentary celebrating two years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Akpabio asserted that legislators are not chosen to confront the president but to work across party lines for the betterment of Nigeria.
“When elected into the national assembly, whether in the senate or the house of representatives, your constituents will not give you boxing gloves,” Akpabio proclaimed. “It’s not a boxing tournament. You are there to work in a bipartisan manner for the interest of Nigeria.”
He highlighted the productive relationship between the national assembly and the presidency, attributing it to a shared vision of national development. Akpabio raised a rhetorical question, “If you spend all your energy fighting the executive, who will work for Nigeria?”
Notably, he pointed out that the current administration is unique in Nigeria’s history, as the president, vice-president, and first lady all have backgrounds as former senators. He announced that the legislature is supportive of initiatives aimed at revitalizing the economy, focusing on local production and job creation.
“We have started the bill for enacting legislation to enable us first purchase automobiles from Nigerian companies before thinking of importing them,” he stated, addressing the economic leakage due to imports.
Akpabio called for a revival of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, underscoring the historical success of industries such as textiles and cash crops, which have seen significant decline. He took inspiration from other nations, noting, “Look at countries like Malaysia that have leveraged palm oil to boost their economies.”
He expressed firm support for the “Nigeria First” policy of the Tinubu administration, asserting that it deserves comprehensive legislative backing. “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 declared.
The Senate President urged further support for local entrepreneurs, suggesting that even small businesses have the potential to succeed amidst Nigeria’s large population. “Even if you produce vinegar and bag it well, it will fly,” he remarked.
Addressing concerns about checks and balances, Akpabio rejected claims that the legislature merely serves as a “rubber stamp” for the executive. “It’s not everything the president brings that he takes back the same way,” he asserted, confident in the legislature’s role to carefully scrutinize and refine executive proposals.
He reassured citizens that the national assembly remains committed to advancing laws aimed at reducing hardships and empowering younger generations. “This government is not a government of theory; it’s a government of action,” he emphasized.
Further, Akpabio announced that all political parties in Akwa Ibom have united into a single entity, aligning their support behind President Tinubu, Governor Umo Eno, and himself for upcoming re-election efforts.
Source: TheCable
