Senate President Godswill Akpabio has stated that lawmakers were elected to collaborate with the executive arm of government for the advancement of Nigeria, rather than to engage in confrontation.
Akpabio made the remarks in a feature documentary produced to commemorate two years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He emphasised that legislators are not chosen to oppose the president, but to work across party lines to promote national development.
According to Akpabio, lawmakers are elected to make laws that serve the national interest, not to act as political rivals.
“When elected into the National Assembly, whether in the Senate or the House of Representatives, your constituents do not hand you boxing gloves. It is not a boxing tournament. You are there to function in a bipartisan way for Nigeria’s benefit,” Akpabio said, as quoted in a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.
He noted that the cordial relationship between the National Assembly and the presidency over the last two years has been driven by a mutual commitment to national development.
“If you spend all your energy fighting the executive, who will work for Nigeria?” he queried.
Akpabio also observed that this is the first time in Nigeria’s history that the president, vice-president, and first lady are all former senators.
He added that the legislature is supporting initiatives to boost the economy through local production and job creation.
“We have begun the legislative process to ensure that we first purchase vehicles from Nigerian manufacturers before considering imports,” he stated.
“We lose billions of dollars every year importing vehicles and other goods that can be manufactured locally,” he said.