Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged political parties to give experienced lawmakers the opportunity to seek re-election, warning that denying capable legislators tickets could weaken the National Assembly.
Akpabio made the appeal on Thursday while praising Senator Francis Faduyile, a professor and former president of the Nigerian Medical Association, for his experience and potential contributions to lawmaking.
He argued that political parties should consider competence, legislative contributions and commitment to national development when deciding which aspirants to nominate for elections.
“It is not good for a senator to serve in the Senate for only one year and then leave,” Akpabio said, urging party leaders to reconsider decisions that prevent capable lawmakers from returning to the legislature.
He added that excluding qualified lawmakers from elections could deprive the National Assembly of valuable institutional knowledge.
“Denying such individuals tickets deprives the legislature of their experience,” he stated
The Senate President stressed that legislative positions should not be treated as political rewards, insisting that merit and dedication to public service must guide representation.
“The Senate is not a place for sharing political largesse,” he declared.
Akpabio acknowledged that political dynamics within states often influenced decisions on candidates but urged party leaders to appreciate the benefits of continuity in legislative service.
He cited Akwa Ibom State, where he said he had expressed gratitude to the governor for supporting the return of three senators to the National Assembly.
To demonstrate the importance of legislative experience, Akpabio referenced the United States, where former Senator Robert Byrd served for 51 years, while former President Joe Biden represented Delaware in the Senate from 1973 to 2009.
“That is the kind of experience we are talking about,” he said.
He maintained that experienced lawmakers could strengthen parliamentary debates, improve legislative procedures and contribute to the passage of more effective laws.
Akpabio also emphasised the need to establish the legislature as a central pillar of Nigeria’s democracy rather than an avenue for political compensation.
“We must ensure that the legislature is firmly entrenched in Nigeria’s democratic system and is not treated as a place for political compensation,” he said.
He further noted that the quality of legislation directly affected governance and the ability of government to address citizens’ needs.
“It is a serious matter because the quality of our laws determines the quality of governance,” Akpabio stated.
The Senate President urged lawmakers to prioritise legislation that would improve the lives of Nigerians, questioning how effective governance could be achieved without sound laws.
“If we do not make good laws, how can we ensure that Nigeria is properly governed? We must enact laws that genuinely improve the lives of Nigerians,” he added.
Akpabio also pointed to public reactions to the Senate’s recent debate on decriminalising suicide as evidence of increasing interest in parliamentary proceedings.
He encouraged senators to sustain public confidence through meaningful debates and decisions that reflect the interests of Nigerians.
The Senate President congratulated his colleagues on their legislative efforts and urged them to return to their respective committees to continue deliberations on pending issues.
