Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said the National Assembly will continue to collaborate with President Bola Tinubu in the interest of Nigerians, stressing that such cooperation should not be interpreted as a compromise of its constitutional responsibilities.
Akpabio maintained that the legislature’s role is to serve the people and not to create unnecessary disagreements with the executive arm of government.
He made the remarks on Tuesday while inaugurating the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja.
The Senate President said the parliament was created to represent Nigerians and must remain open and accessible rather than function as an institution detached from the citizens.
“These walls were never meant to keep Nigerians out. They were built to welcome them in — not merely as spectators of democracy, but as its rightful owners,” Akpabio said.
He emphasised that the National Assembly belongs to the Nigerian people whose votes brought lawmakers into office.
“Parliament belongs not to those elected to sit within it, but to the millions whose hopes and votes brought it into existence,” he said.
“Parliament was never built to keep the people out. It was built to bring them in, for democracy flourishes only in the confidence of an informed and engaged citizenry.”
‘Parliament Should Not Fear Constructive Criticism’
Akpabio stated that democratic institutions can only gain public trust through transparency and accountability.
“Public confidence is earned not by asking citizens to trust institutions blindly, but by embracing transparency and accountability,” he said.
He added that criticism from informed citizens strengthens democracy rather than weakens it.
“Parliament should never fear informed criticism. Questions strengthen democracy. Transparency strengthens legitimacy. The more Nigerians understand our work, the stronger our democracy becomes.”
The Senate President encouraged Nigerians to participate actively in legislative activities by attending public hearings, monitoring lawmakers’ actions and demanding accountability.
“We invite Nigerians not merely to observe us, but to engage with us; not merely to applaud where they agree, but to challenge us where they believe we can do better,” he said.
“A parliament that listens becomes wiser. A democracy that listens becomes stronger.”
Akpabio highlighted the achievements of the 10th National Assembly, saying it had passed more than 100 bills within its first three years, describing the development as unprecedented in Nigeria’s democratic history.
He listed some of the laws passed as those aimed at improving national security, addressing out-of-school children, reforming the tax system, approving a new national minimum wage, attracting investment and establishing regional development commissions.
He also noted that the legislature had handled the screening and confirmation of public officials with the seriousness required by the Constitution.
According to him, Nigeria’s return to the executive committee of the Inter-Parliamentary Union after nearly 60 years reflected growing international confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
‘Cooperation With Tinubu Is Not Constitutional Surrender’
Akpabio defended the relationship between the National Assembly and the executive, insisting that collaboration with President Tinubu does not undermine parliamentary independence.
“Throughout these responsibilities, the national assembly has worked constructively with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in pursuit of national progress,” he said.
“Constructive partnership should never be mistaken for constitutional surrender. Parliament does not prove its independence by manufacturing conflict, nor its relevance by opposing for opposition’s sake.”
“Our constitutional duty is to support what advances the national interest, to question what requires scrutiny, and to correct what demands improvement. That is the balance we have sought to maintain, and history, I believe, will judge it fairly.”
The Senate President added that the Senate and House of Representatives had operated with “uncommon harmony and mutual respect” over the past three years.
Addressing Nigerians, Akpabio urged citizens to take ownership of the legislative process by actively engaging with parliament.
“Whether you are with us today, following these proceedings online, listening on radio, watching on television, or gathered beneath a mango tree in a village square, this parliament belongs to you,” he said.
“Come closer. Attend our public hearings. Read the laws we make. Question us. Challenge us. Encourage us. Democracy flourishes when citizens remain active participants in the work of self-government.”
Akpabio expressed optimism that the Open Week programme would help strengthen public confidence and improve the relationship between the legislature and Nigerians.
“The true measure of parliament is not the height of its walls, but the depth of its people’s confidence,” he added.