"Akpabio Champions Legislative-Executive Unity in Nigeria's 2026 Budget, Drawing Lessons from Global History"

Table of Contents

1. Collaboration Between the National Assembly and Executive
2. Historical Examples of Cooperation
3. The Importance of Cooperation
4. Legislative Output Achievements
5. Acknowledgment of Ongoing Challenges
6. Call to Support the Administration

The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Friday defended the ongoing collaboration between the 10th National Assembly and the Executive branch of government, asserting that such partnership is vital for national advancement.

Akpabio made his remarks during a joint session of the National Assembly at the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In his opening address, the Senate President acknowledged that some critics have labeled the cooperative relationship between the legislature and the executive as a “sell-out” by parliament. He dismissed this perspective, contending that history consistently demonstrates that nations progress when both branches of government collaborate for the greater good.

He referenced the experience of the United States under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, where close cooperation between Congress and the Executive during the New Deal era resulted in significant reforms that stabilized the economy during the Great Depression. Akpabio also mentioned post-war Britain, where Parliament and Clement Attlee’s government worked together to rebuild the nation and establish the National Health Service.

“In each instance, progress emerged not from unanimous agreement, but from institutional cooperation rooted in a shared national interest,” Akpabio stated, emphasizing that great nations are built by leaders who make tough decisions together, rather than by ideal conditions.

In contrast, he cautioned that ongoing executive–legislative conflict often results in stagnation. He pointed to the later years of the Roman Republic, when power struggles hindered governance and weakened institutions, alongside numerous government shutdowns in the United States due to budgetary impasses that disrupted public services and slowed economic activity.

“Throughout history and across continents, the trend remains clear: when the branches of government view each other as adversaries, the nation suffers; but when they operate as partners under the constitution, stability increases, reforms take hold, and progress becomes achievable,” he said.

Akpabio asserted that it is within this spirit of constitutional collaboration that significant national decisions, such as budgeting, gain meaning and momentum.

He noted that over the past year, the 10th Senate has achieved one of the highest levels of legislative output in Nigeria’s history, passing a record number of bills covering security, economic reform, governance, judicial administration, electoral integrity, infrastructure development, and social protection.

According to him, many of these laws have fundamentally transformed Nigeria’s reform landscape. He highlighted security-sector legislation that improved coordination among security agencies, enhanced intelligence sharing, and strengthened the legal framework for addressing terrorism, banditry, and transnational crime.

He also pointed to extensive economic and fiscal reform bills that provided statutory support for subsidy rationalization, public finance discipline, revenue mobilization, and enhanced accountability in the management of national resources.

Regarding governance and justice, Akpabio mentioned landmark legislation that modernized court administration, improved access to justice, reduced procedural delays, and strengthened the independence and efficiency of democratic institutions. He added that electoral reforms were enacted to enhance transparency and build public confidence in democratic processes.

Furthermore, he stated that transformative laws in infrastructure, energy, and social protection have established the legal groundwork for accelerated capital development, power sector reform, housing delivery, and targeted support for vulnerable Nigerians.

“Collectively, these laws did not merely add to the statute books; they turned reform intentions into enforceable policies, stabilized governance, and provided the legal framework upon which national recovery and long-term prosperity can be established,” he said.

However, Akpabio recognized that progress must translate into real prosperity for Nigerians, noting that many citizens continue to face challenges related to the cost of living, unemployment, and insecurity.

He emphasized that lawmakers do not regard insecurity-related deaths as mere statistics but as personal tragedies affecting their constituents, reaffirming the National Assembly’s commitment to bolstering legal and budgetary support for security agencies while enhancing oversight and accountability.

The Senate President urged Nigerians to continue supporting President Tinubu’s administration and assured the public that the 10th National Assembly would remain dedicated to serving the nation with commitment and determination.

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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