Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged political parties to allow experienced lawmakers to seek re-election, warning that denying capable legislators tickets could weaken the National Assembly and undermine the quality of lawmaking in Nigeria.
Akpabio made the appeal on Thursday while commending Senator Francis Faduyile, a professor and former president of the Nigerian Medical Association, for his experience and potential contributions to legislative work.
“It is not good for a senator to serve in the Senate for only one year and then leave. Political parties must take a closer look at their decisions, particularly when dealing with serious-minded individuals who can make meaningful contributions to legislation and national development,” Akpabio said.
He argued that political parties should consider competence, legislative contributions and commitment to national development when selecting candidates, rather than treating legislative positions as rewards for political loyalty.
“Denying such individuals tickets deprives the legislature of their experience,” he said.
The Senate President also cautioned against using legislative positions to distribute political favours, stressing that the National Assembly should remain focused on effective representation and sound lawmaking.
“The Senate is not a place for sharing political largesse,” Akpabio declared.
Acknowledging that political considerations within individual states often influence candidate selection, he cited Akwa Ibom State as an example of efforts to retain experienced legislators. He said he had thanked the governor for supporting the return of three senators to the National Assembly.
Akpabio further pointed to the United States as an example of legislative continuity, referencing former Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, who served for 51 years, and former President Joe Biden, who represented Delaware in the Senate from 1973 to 2009.
“That is the kind of experience we are talking about,” he said, arguing that long-serving lawmakers develop institutional knowledge and legislative expertise that can strengthen parliamentary debates and improve the quality of legislation.
He maintained that effective governance depended partly on the strength of laws enacted by the National Assembly and urged lawmakers to prioritise legislation that addresses the needs and aspirations of Nigerians.
“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.
“It is a serious matter because the quality of our laws determines the quality of governance,” Akpabio added, urging lawmakers to ensure that legislative decisions deliver meaningful benefits to citizens.
The Senate President also welcomed increased public engagement with parliamentary proceedings, citing the recent Senate debate on the decriminalisation of suicide, which attracted attention on social media. He encouraged senators to use the public interest to improve debates and ensure decisions reflect the national interest.
Akpabio concluded by congratulating senators on their legislative work and urging them to return to their respective committees to continue deliberations on pending matters.
