Akpabio: Lawmakers not elected to fight Tinubu

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says lawmakers were not elected to engage in confrontation with the executive but to foster policies that promote national development.

Akpabio said this in Abuja on Tuesday, May 30, 2025, in upcoming feature documentary to mark two years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Akpabio, reflecting on the importance of cooperation between the National Assembly and the executive, said: “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.”

The Senate President emphasised that the relationship between both arms of government has been cordial over the past two years, owing to a shared vision for the country’s progress.

He added that the current administration is unique in Nigeria’s history, with a President, First Lady, and Vice President, all former senators.

Highlighting legislative priorities, Akpabio said the National Assembly is working on a bill mandating ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to prioritise procuring locally assembled vehicles over imported alternatives.

Umahi: Lagos-Calabar highway’ll be tolled from December

He stated: “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.”

The Senate President underscored the urgent need to revive Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, citing the collapse of the textiles industry and cash crops, such as cotton, groundnut, and palm oil, which were once the bedrock of the economy.

Akpabio, however, commended the “Nigeria First” policy championed by Tinubu’s administration, describing it as a “fantastic” initiative that deserves legislative backing.

Akpabio said: “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.”

The Star