By Our Correspondent
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has strongly defended the growing collaboration between the National Assembly and the Executive, arguing that partnership rather than confrontation is critical for effective governance at a time of economic pressure and wide-ranging national reforms.
Akpabio made the remarks during and after the presentation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ₦58.18 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly.
The budget, themed Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity, sets out the Federal Government’s spending priorities in security, infrastructure, education, healthcare and economic growth.
Responding to criticisms that the legislature has become too aligned with the Executive, Akpabio dismissed claims that the National Assembly is acting as a rubber stamp.
He said cooperation does not mean surrendering independence, but reflects constitutional responsibility and a deliberate effort to ensure stable and productive governance.
He argued that history shows nations achieve the most progress when the arms of government work together.
Akpabio cited the United States during the Great Depression, where close cooperation between Congress and the Executive enabled President Franklin D. Roosevelt to implement the New Deal reforms.
He also referenced post–Second World War Britain, noting that collaboration under Prime Minister Clement Attlee helped rebuild the country after years of devastation.
Akpabio warned that prolonged conflict between institutions often leads to paralysis and decline. He pointed to repeated government shutdowns in the United States and power struggles in the late Roman Republic as examples of how rivalry between branches of government can damage national stability and development.
According to him, the decision to embrace cooperation was intentional and driven by the expectations of Nigerians, who are more interested in results than political confrontations.
He maintained that the legislature would continue to exercise its oversight powers and thoroughly scrutinise the 2026 budget to ensure accountability, transparency and effective use of public funds.
President Tinubu, in his budget presentation, also called for strong partnership with the National Assembly, stressing the need for collective action to stabilise the economy, improve security and support vulnerable citizens amid ongoing economic adjustments.
Leaders of both chambers pledged that the budget would receive careful but constructive consideration.
Public reaction to the legislature–Executive alignment has been mixed. While some Nigerians see it as a path to stability and faster policy implementation, others fear it could weaken legislative oversight.
Akpabio acknowledged these concerns but insisted that constructive engagement, rather than constant conflict, offers the best chance of delivering real benefits to citizens.
He concluded that the 2026 budget should be seen as more than a financial document, describing it as a measure of national unity and shared responsibility.
He said Nigerians want visible impact in their daily lives, from improved security to better infrastructure and economic opportunities, and that such outcomes are more achievable when government institutions work together.
