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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Study laws before criticizing, Nigeria's Senate President tells critics

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Senate President Godswill Akpabio defended the 10th National Assembly's performance, urging critics to study enacted laws.
  • Akpabio highlighted the assembly's role in supporting national reforms and noted that misunderstandings often stem from a lack of legislative process knowledge.
  • He described the current assembly as the most harmonious and productive since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999 and commended security agencies for rescuing abducted schoolchildren.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday defended the performance of Nigeria's 10th National Assembly, urging citizens to familiarize themselves with legislation before offering criticism. Akpabio stated that the parliament's crucial role in advancing national reforms is frequently misunderstood, emphasizing that the legislature is the most accessible democratic institution.

I want all of us to attend this Open Week. Please try to read the laws we make. You can question us after you have finished reading the laws. You can also challenge us.

— Godswill AkpabioAddressing the need for public understanding of legislative work during the National Assembly Open Week.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 National Assembly Open Week in Abuja, Akpabio explained that the event aims to foster transparency, accountability, and direct citizen engagement with the lawmaking process. He noted that many criticisms arise from an insufficient grasp of how laws are made. The theme for this year's Open Week, "Three Years of the 10th National Assembly: Advocacy, Transparency, Inclusion and Reforms," underscores these goals.

Our job here is to make laws that will last for generations. We are not making laws for ourselves. We are making laws for the protection of Nigeria’s future.

— Godswill AkpabioExplaining the long-term perspective of lawmakers in crafting legislation.

Akpabio recounted an instance where a professor criticized recent tax reform legislation without having read its specific provisions. He advised the public to review enacted laws before commenting on social media or other platforms. The Senate President stressed that lawmakers create legislation with future generations in mind, not for immediate political gain, aiming for laws that will endure.

This is the most peaceful and most productive Assembly that we have seen since 1999.

— Godswill AkpabioDescribing the current National Assembly's performance since Nigeria's return to democratic rule.

Describing the current National Assembly as the most peaceful and productive since Nigeria's return to democracy in 1999, Akpabio attributed this success to close collaboration between the Senate and the House of Representatives. He acknowledged occasional disagreements but affirmed that both chambers work towards consensus in the national interest. Akpabio also commended security agencies for the recent rescue of abducted schoolchildren, viewing it as proof of the government's commitment to tackling insecurity and ensuring citizens' safety.

The rescue of those children is an indication that government is not sleeping-that government is working round the clock to ensure that Nigerians can sleep with their two eyes closed.

— Godswill AkpabioCommenting on the recent rescue of abducted schoolchildren and government's commitment to security.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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