From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has cautioned political parties against denying experienced lawmakers the opportunity to return to the National Assembly, warning that such decisions deprive Nigeria of valuable contributions to lawmaking and national development.
Akpabio, who spoke during deliberations on a motion sponsored by Sen Francis Faduyile at plenary, questioned the rationale behind political decisions that prevent capable individuals from continuing in public service, stressing that competence and experience should be considered in determining who gets the opportunity to serve.
He was reacting to the reported decision not to give Faduyile a ticket to contest the 2027 general elections, warning that denying experienced and bright lawmakers the opportunity to return to the National Assembly deprives the country of their contributions to lawmaking.
Akpabio, who expressed surprise that he might not return to the Senate after completing the tenure of Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, now Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United Nations, urged political stakeholders to reconsider the decision.
“What kind of politics are we doing when we are throwing away our best?” he queried during deliberations on a motion sponsored by Faduyile at plenary.
Faduyile, a former President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), is currently serving in the Senate to complete Ibrahim’s tenure.
Akpabio argued that political parties should give greater consideration to the experience and capacity of individuals when deciding who gets the opportunity to represent their constituents, stressing that competent people could serve in different arms and levels of government.
“I believe that he’s very sound and people can go to other places. Some people could be made ministers, DGs, secretaries to government and all that, deputy governors or governors or whatever. Others can serve in the legislature. I believe that he’s one of your best,” he said.
The Senate President urged stakeholders in Faduyile’s political community to reconsider their position, insisting that capable individuals should not be denied the opportunity to contribute to national development through the legislature.
“Take my message back to your community that you should put your best foot forward. Try to reconsider the decision,” he told Adeniyi Adegbonmire, who acknowledged the intervention, saying, “Your advice is well noted, sir.”
Akpabio returned to the issue in his closing remarks, thanking Faduyile for sponsoring the motion and questioning the value of electing lawmakers for brief periods without giving them sufficient time to contribute meaningfully to legislative business.
“I must also further thank Professor Francis Faduyile and say that what I said was serious. That is, not good for a senator to come and just be in the Senate for one year,” he said.
He maintained that political parties should weigh the consequences of denying experienced lawmakers another opportunity to serve, particularly when their expertise could strengthen the legislative process.
“It is important that the political parties take a good look, particularly where we have very serious-minded people who can make serious contributions to legislation and by implication to Nigeria. Taking tickets from such individuals robs us of his experience,” Akpabio stated.
He specifically cited Faduyile’s professional background and leadership of the NMA as assets that could benefit the Senate, adding that his intervention was not informed by the politics of Faduyile’s state.
“But I know that as a former President of Nigerian Medical Association you have a lot to contribute to this legislature. And I’m not a politician from your state, I don’t know how you share things,” he added.
“What kind of politics are we doing when we are throwing away our best?,” he queried.
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