Why don’t we oppose Tinubu -Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio defended the relationship between the legislature and the executive, saying collaboration with the executive branch led by President Bola Tinubu should not be misconstrued as a loss of parliamentary independence.

Akpabio who spoke on Tuesday while declaring the opening of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja, stated that the National Assembly would not defy the executive branch just for fun.

According to him, “the national assembly has worked constructively with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in achieving national progress,” he said.

“Constructive partnership should not be misconstrued as constitutional surrender. Parliament does not prove its independence by creating conflict, or its relevance by opposing on behalf of the opposition.

“Our constitutional duty is to support those that advance the national interest, question those that require scrutiny, and correct those that require correction. That’s the balance we want to maintain, and I’m sure history will judge it fairly.”

Akpabio added that the Senate and House of Representatives had worked with “unusual harmony and mutual respect” over the past three years.

Addressing the Nigerian people directly, the senate president urged the people to take ownership of the legislative body by actively participating in its activities.

“Whether you are with us today, following this process online, listening on the radio, watching on television, or gathered under the mango tree in the village square, this parliament is yours,” he said.

“Come closer. Attend our public hearings. Read the laws we create. Ask us. Challenge us. Encourage us. Democracy thrives when citizens remain active participants in the pursuit of self-government.”

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Akpabio expressed hope that the Open Week initiative would deepen public trust and strengthen ties between parliament and the people.

“The true measure of a parliament is not how high its walls are, but how much trust the people have,” he added.

He said parliament was established to serve the Nigerian people and should remain accessible to citizens rather than operating as a closed institution.

“This wall was not intended to prevent Nigerians from entering. It was built to welcome them in – not only as spectators of democracy, but also as its rightful owners,” Akpabio said.

Akpabio said public trust in democratic institutions could only be strengthened through transparency and accountability.

“Public trust is gained not by asking the public to blindly trust institutions, but by implementing transparency and accountability,” he said.

“Parliament must not fear informed criticism. Questions strengthen democracy. Transparency strengthens legitimacy. The more Nigerians understand our work, the stronger our democracy will be.”

He urged Nigerians to engage more actively with legislative institutions by attending public hearings, scrutinizing the performance of those institutions, and holding lawmakers accountable.

“We invite Nigerians not just to observe us, but to engage with us; not just to applaud us if they agree, but to challenge us if they believe we can do better,” he said.

“A parliament that listens will be wiser. A democracy that listens will be stronger.”