Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured Nigerians that political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general election will not prevent members of the National Assembly from carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
Akpabio said lawmakers were elected to serve for four years and would continue performing their legislative duties throughout their tenure despite the growing political activities surrounding the elections.
He spoke with journalists at the Presidential Wing of the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
His remarks were contained in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom.
The Senate President said there was no reason electioneering and legislative responsibilities could not be effectively combined, stressing that lawmakers understood the need to balance politics with their obligations to Nigerians.
“We were elected for four years and we are going to work for four years. Anybody that is walking on the tiny rope must be able to do the balancing act,” Akpabio said.
He noted that although members of the National Assembly are politicians who would naturally participate in campaign activities, such engagements could be scheduled in a manner that would not interfere with parliamentary work.
“We are politicians and campaigns would start very soon. Campaigns can be fixed in the afternoons or evenings while we do our work in the mornings,” he said.
Akpabio maintained that legislators belonging to different political parties would not necessarily campaign at the same time, making it possible for parliamentary activities to continue without significant disruption.
“It is not a problem at all. It is not everybody that will go for campaign at the same time because we belong to different political parties,” he said.
The Senate President further assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would continue considering bills, passing laws and carrying out other legislative responsibilities aimed at addressing the needs of citizens.
“Nothing will affect legislation. We will continue to make laws to take care of the needs of the people. It has never affected the work of the parliament,” Akpabio added.
His comments come as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general election, with parties beginning to strengthen their campaign structures and mobilise supporters across the country.
Akpabio recently convened a meeting of critical stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District.
At the meeting, President Bola Tinubu, Akpabio and Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno received endorsements for their respective political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Senate President is also expected to play a prominent role in the ruling APC’s campaign activities as the party moves to secure another term for Tinubu.
Despite the expected increase in political engagements, Akpabio insisted that the legislature would not abandon its responsibilities to Nigerians.
He maintained that lawmakers must remain accountable to the electorate throughout their tenure and ensure that political campaigns do not become an excuse for legislative inactivity.
With campaigns expected to dominate Nigeria’s political landscape in the months ahead, Akpabio’s assurance is aimed at addressing concerns that electioneering could slow down legislative activities at the National Assembly.
The Senate President said the legislature would continue working while lawmakers simultaneously participate in the political activities required of them as members of their respective parties.
