RismadarVoice Reporters
October 22, 2026
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged political parties and state governors to prioritise legislative experience when selecting candidates for the National Assembly, warning that frequent changes in membership could weaken institutional knowledge and parliamentary effectiveness.
Akpabio made the call on Thursday during Senate deliberations on a motion seeking urgent intervention to protect the Aiyetoro community in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State from coastal erosion and sea incursion.
The motion was sponsored by Senator Francis Adedayo Faduyile, representing Ondo South Senatorial District.
Speaking during the proceedings, Akpabio expressed concern that experienced lawmakers were sometimes denied opportunities to return to the National Assembly because of political considerations.
He argued that legislative continuity was essential for strengthening democratic institutions, improving parliamentary oversight and ensuring effective lawmaking.
The Senate President specifically mentioned Faduyile, a former President of the Nigerian Medical Association, describing his professional experience as valuable to legislative activities.
Akpabio said political parties should carefully consider the qualifications and contributions of serving lawmakers before deciding whether to replace them.
He maintained that the Senate should not become an institution where political appointments or nominations are distributed merely to reward party loyalty.
The Senate President also commended Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno for supporting the return of the three senators representing the state, describing the decision as an example of encouraging legislative continuity.
Drawing comparisons with the United States, Akpabio referred to former Senator Robert Byrd, who represented West Virginia in the US Senate for more than five decades.
He also cited former American President Joe Biden, who served as a senator from 1973 until 2009, as an example of the experience that long-serving legislators could accumulate.
According to Akpabio, retaining knowledgeable lawmakers could improve the quality of legislation and strengthen the National Assembly’s capacity to address national challenges.
He further stressed that effective legislation played an important role in determining the quality of governance and the delivery of public services.
The Senate President also referred to recent public reactions to the chamber’s deliberations on the proposed decriminalisation of attempted suicide.
He said the discussions demonstrated increasing public interest in parliamentary proceedings and reinforced the responsibility of lawmakers to respond to citizens’ concerns.
Akpabio maintained that political parties should place competence, institutional experience and public service above political compensation when making legislative nominations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
