Senate President Godswill Akpabio has asked lawmakers in the 10th National Assembly to not pay attention to people who call them a “rubber stamp.” He made this clear during a special meeting where they welcomed President Bola Tinubu.
Akpabio said that many critics don’t really understand how the parliament works or why lawmakers do their job. He praised President Tinubu for the good work he has done in the last two years and said that critics do not know the true role of the National Assembly.
He said, “We should ignore those who say we are just rubber stamps. They don’t understand why we are here.”
In the same meeting, Akpabio suggested that the President should create a June 12 Museum. This museum would honor the brave people who fought for democracy in Nigeria and sometimes lost their lives for the country’s freedom.
Akpabio also expressed how proud the National Assembly is to have the President with them, not only as a leader but as someone who helped build Nigeria’s democracy. He reminded everyone that this special day is about celebrating the strength and hope of Nigerians who have stayed loyal to democracy through many challenges.
He talked about the events of June 12, 1993, when Nigerians showed the world that their votes and voices matter. He said Nigeria lost more than an election that day; it lost its innocence. But from that moment, people began to resist and fight for their rights.
Akpabio urged everyone to remember those who sacrificed so Nigerians could vote and speak freely. He also honored all who helped Nigeria transition to democracy.
This year’s theme, “26 Years of Democracy: Renewing Our Commitment to National Development,” is more than just words, Akpabio said. It’s a call for all Nigerians to work hard to build a better nation.
He explained that democracy is not the final goal but a tool to transform the country. Under President Tinubu’s leadership, many important reforms have been made. These include fixing the foreign exchange market, giving local governments more freedom, creating development commissions for different regions, and starting the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Akpabio’s message was clear: the National Assembly is doing important work, and lawmakers should not be distracted by unfair critics. Instead, they should focus on serving the people and supporting the country’s growth.
