President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has urged Nigerians to hold their elected representatives accountable and actively engage lawmakers on issues affecting their communities.
Akpabio made the call on Tuesday while addressing senators during the resumption of plenary at the Nigerian Senate following a brief adjournment that allowed various committees to carry out legislative assignments.
According to him, democratic governance can only thrive when citizens participate meaningfully in the legislative process and maintain constant engagement with their representatives.
“The Senate is not merely a theatre of debate; it is a workshop of solutions,” Akpabio said. “Where social media magnifies the noise of the moment, the Senate addresses the substance of the problem. Where the digital arena stirs emotion, the legislative process pursues resolution.”
He encouraged Nigerians to channel their concerns through their representatives, stressing that the system of representation remains a vital instrument for transforming public grievances into government policy.
“I therefore encourage Nigerians everywhere: engage your representatives. Bring your concerns to those whom you have entrusted with the responsibility of speaking on your behalf,” he said. “For it is through the instrument of representation that grievances are transformed into policy and concerns into action.”
The Senate President noted that while the National Assembly may occasionally adjourn its sittings, the responsibilities of governance remain continuous.
“We assemble once again in this Senate after our brief adjournment, which enabled our committees to carry out important legislative work,” he said. “Yet we do so with the full knowledge that while legislatures may adjourn, the life of a nation never pauses.”
Akpabio stressed that representation lies at the heart of democratic governance, describing it as a living agreement between citizens and those elected to serve them.
“Representation is not an abstraction written only in constitutional language. It is a living covenant between the people and those whom they elect to speak in their name,” he added.
The Senate President also acknowledged the growing influence of social media in shaping public discourse but emphasised that legislative institutions remain essential in translating public concerns into concrete policy actions.
Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom State, further highlighted the importance of the national budget currently before the National Assembly of Nigeria.
Describing the budget as a key policy instrument, he said it reflects the nation’s development priorities and aspirations.
“Among the pressing matters before this chamber stands the national budget — that great ledger of national purpose in which the hopes of millions are translated into the language of public policy,” he said.
“A budget is more than figures on paper. It is a declaration of national intention. It tells our citizens where we choose to invest our energies, what priorities we pursue, and what future we seek to build.”
His remarks come as lawmakers resume deliberations on several major national issues, including the proposed 2026 Appropriation Bill, constitutional amendments and other policy reforms expected to shape the country’s governance landscape.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s current challenges, Akpabio urged senators to remain focused on delivering practical solutions that will strengthen institutions and improve citizens’ lives.
“Nigeria stands today at a moment that calls for clarity of purpose and steadfastness of spirit,” he said. “The challenges before us are real. But history teaches us that great nations are not built by those who shrink from difficulty; they are built by those who confront it with courage and determination.”
He concluded by calling on lawmakers to prioritise national interest above political differences as legislative activities resume.
“Let us debate with vigour but act with wisdom. Let us differ in opinion but remain united in our duty to the Republic,” he said. “For above all our political differences stands a higher obligation — the obligation to serve Nigeria faithfully and to secure for our people a future worthy of their sacrifice and hope.”
