Senate President Godswill Akpabio struck back on Friday against public criticism of the National Assembly’s cooperation with the Executive, stressing that collaboration—not confrontation—between branches of government is critical for national advancement.
The former Akwa Ibom State governor made the remark after President Bola Tinubu presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly.
In his welcome speech, Akpabio acknowledged widespread suspicion about the legislature’s position but maintained that nations thrive when institutions work together under the Constitution.
“Many in our country view the patriotic collaborative work between the National Assembly and the executive arm as a sell-out by the parliament.
“But history is unambiguous on one enduring lesson: nations advance when the Executive and the Legislature work in concert, and they falter when the two become locked in hostility,” he said.
Speaking to lawmakers, diplomats, and senior government officials, the Senate President framed the 2026 budget presentation as a defining moment in Nigeria’s reform journey, warning that prolonged executive-legislative rivalry has historically undermined governance across civilizations.
“It is pertinent to note that history has often distilled its lessons into simple truths. One of them is this: great nations are not built by perfect conditions, but by leaders who make hard choices together,” he added.
He made examples ranging from the decline of the Roman Republic to budgetary standoffs in the United States to illustrate the costs of institutional conflict.
“Across history and continents, the pattern remains consistent: when the organs of state treat each other as adversaries, the nation pays the price. But when they act as partners under the Constitution, stability deepens, reforms take root, and progress becomes possible,” he said.
Akpabio described the national budgets as mirrors of a country’s values and priorities, stressing that the 2026 Appropriation Bill should be viewed beyond numbers.
“Budgets tell a story. Show me a nation’s budget, and I will tell you its priorities, its fears, and its hopes.
“The 2026 Appropriation Bill you are about to present is, therefore, far more than a compilation of figures. It should be a statement of intent—a reflection of priorities, a record of difficult choices, and a roadmap for the next phase of Nigeria’s national renewal,” he said.
Placing the budget in the context of Nigeria’s existing realities, the Senate President noted family and business strains, youth fears, and chronic insecurity throughout the country.
“Families have felt the strain of rising costs. Businesses have adjusted to a changing economic environment. Insecurity has tested our collective resolve and reminded us that peace is not a gift we inherit, but a responsibility we must constantly defend,” he added.
Nonetheless, he maintained an optimistic tone, maintaining that Nigeria’s past is marked by resilience rather than retreat.
He said, “Yet history teaches us something enduring: Nigeria does not retreat in the face of difficulty—we confront it… From one generation to the next, this nation has survived storms not by surrendering to despair, but by standing together, reforming what must be reformed, and renewing our commitment to justice, inclusivity, and progress.”
Akpabio defended the Tinubu administration’s reform trajectory, notably the 2025 budget, which he said required political bravery to address long-standing structural flaws.
According to him, the reforms are starting to show benefits.
“As a result, we are now witnesses to measurable gains. Government revenues are improving. Public finance is being managed with greater discipline and transparency… Nigeria is regaining confidence—within its borders and in the eyes of the international community,” he said.
Akpabio praised the 10th Senate for passing bills on security, economic reform, governance, judicial administration, elections, infrastructure, and social protection in the past year.
However, he cautioned that legislative success must be translated into better living conditions for citizens, as insecurity and unemployment remain significant challenges.
Akpabio praised Tinubu for Nigeria’s quick response to challenges to democracy in Benin.
He used the metaphor of a baobab tree to emphasize the importance of long-term reform and budgeting and urged institutions to work together.
