Senate President Godswill Akpabio has stated that federal lawmakers were not elected to confront the executive branch but rather to promote policies that stimulate national development.
Speaking in an upcoming documentary marking President Bola Tinubu's two years in office, Akpabio emphasized the importance of bipartisan cooperation between the National Assembly and the executive arm of government.
"When elected into the National Assembly, whether in the Senate or the House of Representatives, 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," Akpabio said.
The Senate President highlighted that the current administration is unique in Nigeria's history, with a President, First Lady, and Vice President who have all served as senators at different points in their careers.
Legislative Priorities and Manufacturing Revival
Akpabio revealed that the National Assembly is working on legislation that would mandate ministries, departments, and agencies to prioritize locally assembled vehicles over imported alternatives.
"We have started the bill for enacting legislation to enable us first purchase automobiles from Nigerian companies before thinking of importing them. We lose billions of dollars annually importing vehicles and other items that can be produced locally," he stated.
The Senate President lamented the collapse of Nigeria's manufacturing sector, particularly the textile industry and cash crops such as cotton, groundnut, and palm oil, which were once the foundation of the economy.
"Over 50 textile companies have left Nigeria. The cotton industry collapsed. The groundnut industry collapsed. The palm oil industry collapsed. Look at countries like Malaysia that have leveraged palm oil to boost their economies," he said.
Support for "Nigeria First" Policy
Akpabio praised the "Nigeria First" policy championed by the Tinubu administration, describing it as a "fantastic" initiative deserving legislative backing. He disclosed ongoing discussions with the Raw Materials Research and Development Council to promote laws ensuring Nigeria produces most of what it consumes.
"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. Taking Nigeria First means bringing industries back to the country to serve our population of over 200 million," Akpabio emphasized.
The former Akwa Ibom governor called for greater support for local entrepreneurs, noting that even small-scale production ventures could thrive in Nigeria's vast consumer market.
Defending Legislative Independence
Addressing concerns about the legislature's independence, Akpabio refuted claims that the National Assembly merely rubber-stamps executive decisions. He pointed out instances where the assembly rejected presidential nominees.
"People forget that we have made enemies by rejecting some of the nominees that the president sent to us. It's not everything the president brings that he takes back the same way," he stated.
Akpabio maintained that the assembly's role is to scrutinize, amend, and support executive actions that align with national interest, saying, "Our job is to make sure we cross the T's and dot the I's to assist the president in having the best for the Nigerian population."
He cited several landmark legislative interventions aligned with the administration's reforms, including the Student Loan Act (NELFund), Tax Reform Bills, and Minimum Wage Bill.
"We have done quite a lot in just two years. I assure Nigerians that more people-focused laws are coming: laws that will reduce hardship, open the economy, and empower young people," Akpabio concluded.
