Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said the National Assembly will continue to support President Bola Tinubu’s economic reform agenda, describing the legislature as a partner in the administration’s efforts to transform the country.
Gatekeepers News reports that Akpabio spoke on Friday when he led a delegation of federal lawmakers to visit Tinubu in Lagos as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
He said the National Assembly had reviewed several outdated laws and passed major economic legislation to bring Nigeria’s legal and economic framework in line with current realities.
According to him, some of the laws dated as far back as 1901 and 1939, while lawmakers had continued to expedite legislation considered necessary for economic transformation.
Akpabio pointed to the passage of four major tax reform laws as an example of the legislature’s support for Tinubu’s economic programme.
“You’ve seen the reform in the tax system. Let me use the word economic system, with four major tax laws brought into the country at one time,” he said.
The Senate president said the National Assembly would continue to translate its promises into legislative action and facilitate appointments and confirmations required to advance the administration’s programmes.
“On the part of the national assembly, we want to continue to remain worthy partners to the administration of President Bola Tinubu,” Akpabio said, adding that lawmakers believed their actions were in the interest of Nigerians.
His comments came after Tinubu, in his Independence Day address, said the government was moving from economic reforms towards measures aimed at reducing the cost of living and improving Nigerians’ welfare.
Akpabio said the National Assembly would support policies and legislation targeted at achieving those objectives.
He also said the country had recorded progress on security, although he acknowledged that pockets of insecurity and discontent remained.
“We believe he’s doing well. These reforms are working and, as far as we are concerned, insecurities are abating, and people are able to sleep well,” he said.
Akpabio also called for national unity and said Nigeria’s continued existence as one country over the past 66 years reflected the resilience of its people.
He was accompanied on the visit by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu and other federal lawmakers.
