Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, stated on Wednesday that Nigeria accomplished in 24 years what the United States of America took 185 years to accomplish with the election of President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in the 2023 elections.
Prior to assuming their current roles, Tinubu and Shettima served in the Senate at different times.
Former lawmakers now hold key positions in the executive arm of government, according to Akpabio, who made this announcement during President Tinubu's welcome speech at the 2024 budget presentation to a joint session of the National Assembly. He claimed that this development has improved communication between the two branches of government.
According to Akpabio, a friendly relationship between the two arms is not only necessary but will continue as they work together and share common ground with the executive branch, which is led by former lawmakers.
“Mr President, the United States of America has started democracy for about 247 years. But it was only when it marked its 185th anniversary that it succeeded in producing two former Senators John F Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson as president and vice president, respectively.
“But within 24 years of our democracy, we have achieved what took the United States of America 185 years to achieve,” Akpabio stated to a thunderous applause by lawmakers.
He continued by listing other former legislators who are now holding important positions in the administration.
“Not only do we have two former Distinguished Senators serving as the President and Vice President of our dear country; we also have other alumni of this Assembly in positions of public trust: Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, and other Senators in the Cabinet.
“Mr. President, Distinguished and Honorable Members, maintaining a cordial relationship with the Executive Arm has always been a requirement of the law, but now, given that our Old Boys now run the Executive, a good relationship with the executive is a must.
“Never have we had so many bridges and connection points between these two arms of Government.
“So we will continue to walk hand in hand and see eye to eye with the Executive Arm, while ensuring that the principles of separation of powers, as well as checks and balances as enshrined in our Constitution are observed in the overriding public interest,” Akpabio added.
