Senate President Akpabio: Nigerian Lawmakers Most Ridiculed

• Senate President Akpabio defends the legislature, stating it is often misunderstood and subject to ridicule, emphasizing its critical role.
• Akpabio highlights the importance of educating the public on the functions of the legislature and the metrics for measuring performance.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has expressed that Nigeria’s legislature is the least understood arm of government and often the subject of ridicule and attacks. He made these remarks at the 100th birthday colloquium in honor of Senator Kunle Oyero, a member of the Senate in the Second Republic, organized by the Abeokuta Grammar School Old Boys’ Association (AGSOBA) in Ogun State.

Akpabio highlighted that many Nigerians do not appreciate the necessity of the legislature, and he defended the role of lawmakers, stating that without the legislature in 2007, Nigeria could have had a life president. He stressed that people often misunderstand the functions of the legislature, which includes making laws, oversight functions, and appropriation.

The Senate President pointed out that the metrics for measuring the performance of legislators are sometimes different from the syllabus that dictates their roles. He cited instances where senators who actively participated in lawmaking, oversight, and appropriation did not get re-elected because voters often focus on more immediate and tangible issues, such as the provision of transformers and personal assistance.

Akpabio expressed concern that the voting power has been left to those who may not fully understand the choices before them and urged the elite to take a keen interest and participate actively in the election process.

Senator Kunle Oyero was described as the last living legend of the Nigerian Senate, and the colloquium aimed to immortalize him while he is alive. The event featured discussions on legislation in Nigeria, past, present, and future.

The AGSOBA Global President, Sunday Oduntan, announced plans to construct a bridge named the “Senator Kunle Oyero Bridge” in honor of the celebrant. The Chairman of the occasion, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, encouraged current lawmakers to emulate Oyero’s virtues for the betterment of Nigeria.