Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio who represents Akwa Ibom North-West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District Akpabio at the Nigerian Senate can truly be described as the personification of legislative excellence as clearly demonstrated by his outstanding performance and service in the first session of the 8th Assembly. This assessment is not based on shallow unscientific means as has characterized popular media assessment of lawmakers. Rather, it considers the full gamut of the activities and contributions of this political giant in chamber, at committee meetings and related activities such as oversight and importantly, representation, which is increasingly becoming the most critical function of a lawmaker not only in advanced democracies but also in emerging democracies such as ours.

The first point of consideration is the transition from being an executive governor to a legislator. Many people have questioned the presence of governors in the legislature and in fact some have characterized it as selfish metamorphosis by these former governors as a means of perpetuating themselves in power. However, Akpabio has proven this assertion to be absolutely fallacious. In his time so far in the National Assembly, he has shown that his motivations are altruistic and purely based on a firm desire to continue to contribute to nation-building. Secondly, he has utilized his copious experience in the executive in addressing developmental issues that continue to beset Nigeria’s fledgling democracy. Rather than being a seat-warmer or an absentee legislator, Akpabio has been at the forefront of all legislative activities since the inception of the 8th Assembly on June 23rd, 2015. His attitude to work and the seriousness with which he has taken his duties as a national legislator has be lauded by not only his staff but also by general members of the National Assembly. He is consistent in chamber, visible in legislative debates, outspoken on national issues, active in committees and as always in tune with the needs of his constituents.

But in truth, Akpabio has long transcended state or regional barriers. His sole motivation has been raising the standards of living of Nigerians, promoting the good image of the country and empowering ordinary citizens of Nigeria to not only pursue their dreams but more importantly in providing them with the means to achieve these dreams. This has been clearly established not only in his short term as a senator but also during his tenure as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, where his achievement in delivering developmental projects remains unpanelled arguably among any governor in the country since 1999. He has thus become a national leader in the same mould as Nigeria’s founding fathers who, despite strong regional expectations from their people, still rose above primordial attachments to forge a truly national identify for Nigeria.

The Senate broke with tradition in June 2015 when it named Akpabio as its Minority Leader making him the principal spokesperson for the Minority Group in Parliament. This appointment is significant in so many respects but critically it came at a time when Nigeria witnessed its first successful transfer of power from a ruling party to an opposition party. Political scientists have noted that a key consequence of the 2015 elections is the transition from procedural democracy to substantive democracy in Nigeria coming after 16 years of PDP’s stay in power. And the responsibility of not only providing a robust opposition in parliament but of actually institutionalizing opposition politics fell onto Senator Akpabio. This was untested waters and any other person may have cowed under the weight of expectations. However, Akpabio is not one to be easily fazed by challenges. He accepted with humility the confidence reposed on him by peers and set about with commitment and steadfastness.

So far, he has positioned his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as an effective shadow council following up on government and ensuring the effectiveness of policy and service delivery. He has thus given the party a public good component and aligned it to the interest of Nigerians. To reach the level of effectiveness in shadowing the ruling party, Akpabio has consistently worked with a technical secretariat consisting of competent individuals providing evidence based research.

However, his success and that of his party in providing oversight over the ruling party rests largely on the effective leadership provided by Akpabio. He has worked tirelessly to return the PDP to the democratic ideals that brought it to existence in the first place. He is equally making giant strides in recalibrating the party and setting up a policy platform with Nigerians as the rallying point. Additionally, the effectiveness of any credible opposition depends on effective communication in the running of a shadow governance. Akpabio has, against all odds and despite the challenges facing the party, constituted the PDP into a robust opposition in the National Assembly.

In addition to having the unique honour of being the first newly elected senator to be a Minority Leader in the immediate aftermath of a successful revolving of power between the ruling party and an opposition party, Akpabio is also the first former governor to hold such an office. This is a clear indication of his understanding and capacity to play for the high-stakes at the highest level in our body polity. In fact, Akpabio is a man of many firsts. For instance, his appearance as a gubernatorial candidate in 2007 was the first time a candidate had emerged through the popular will of the people, defeating 57 opponents. He has since brought his experience from the executive branch to bear on his new job and has effectively interfaced with both the ruling party (APC), the media and the members of the Civil Society Organisations in ensuring that the interests of Nigerians are safeguarded. Thus, as a man of prodigious intellect, Akpabio has shown capacity and dexterity in legislative advocacy and proficiency in building bi-partisan alliances.

The relationship between the legislature and the executive is one of the key defining characteristics of the effective functioning of any political system. This relationship is complex, depending on a range of formal and informal practices. The legislature and the executive in the presidential system adopted by Nigeria are each vested with powers over some defined activities of government. In many respects, joint efforts and collaborations are constitutionally required in the exercise of their power. Since the inception of the 8th Assembly, Akpabio has been key to the stability of the Senate during a very tumultuous time in Nigeria’s political history. Due to his firm belief in democratic institutions and culture and his unwavering faith in the independence of three arms of government, which is central to the functioning of any democracy, Akpabio has leveraged on his experience and connections across every strata of Nigeria’s political space to ensure the autonomy of the Legislature and its right to manage its legislative agenda, choose its leadership and conduct its affairs as it sees fit for the general good of Nigeria. Due to his influence, the relationship between the Senate and the Executive has gradually moved away from being tenuous and confrontational to harmonious and complementary positioned towards overcoming the myriad political challenges that currently face Nigeria.

Akpabio’s commitment to the common good is equally exemplified in his legislative interventions. This has confirmed his status as an elder statesman and his commitment to less privileged Nigerians. His enduring devotion to the common good is evident in the Bills he has sponsored/ co-sponsored and got passed into law and Motions he has sponsored/co-sponsored on the floor of the Senate. His dynamic involvement in legislative activities has proved that his primary motivation in seeking office is not power for its own sake but a genuine desire to serve. Through legislative advocacy, he has ensured that developmental projects are vigorously pursued and fairly allocated across Nigeria’s six (6) geo-political zones.

When it comes to representation, very few politicians can share the stage with Akpabio. He has endeared himself to his people through regular acts of generosity and kindness. Aside from ensuring that his people benefit from Government’s development projects, he has personally used his personal resources to sponsor projects, provide opportunities for his people, especially the youth and promote entrepreneurship. He has awarded numerous scholarships to students from his state and beyond, making it possible for the poor and less privileged to achieve university education and secure jobs in order to better improve the welfare of their families and by extension the state and the country at large. Many people who would not have hitherto enjoyed education have been trained to Ph.D. level in some instances. Additionally, thousands of young people have benefited from skills acquisition programmes solely sponsored by Akpabio. This include computer programmes and vocal trainings and successful candidates have been empowered with start-up capital.

An alumnus of the University of Calabar, Senator Godswill Akpabio is a knowledgeable lawyer with many years of post-Bar experience. He has previously served as the Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources in 2002 and Commissioner for Lands and Housing. In April 2007, Godswill Akpabio contested for governorship of Akwa Ibom State on the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and won. He ran for two very successful terms (2003 to 2011) putting his state on the path to growth and economic development and raising the fortunes of his people.
The history of Nigeria’s democratic journey will be incomplete without a mention of Sen. Akpabio. More so, a big portion of the story of the Legislature in Nigeria and the 8th Senate will be occupied by this colossus. In fact, his story is only now beginning to unfold and his contributions to national development are only now being recognized. As he continues to tap into his wealth of experience and use same in improving legislative representation, Akpabio will no doubt leave his footprints on the sands of history and posterity will look up to him in awe and deep respect for his untiring commitment to national service. He is a political tsunami for good being propelled by a special divine anointing and protection to ensure Nigeria’s continued rise as the giant of the black race!


Dabang Jake is a Legislative Consultant in Abuja

Very nice article i must say. I never knew Akpabio was such a great man. I am so Akpabio for president now . We need more people like this.I have heard so much about him. The part I love the most in this article is he has utilized his copious experience in the executive in addressing developmental issues that continue to beset Nigeria’s fledgling democracy.

#Akpabio for president

wow very well written. i like him . You should written a biography about this man. Not read anything so next to perfect like this one

Certainly a good prospect to give an authentic insight into the man's life and legacy. I think Nigerians need to know this man better and what he stands for.

@ TK007 Certainly a good prospect to give an authentic insight into the man's life and legacy. I think Nigerians need to know this man better and what he stands for.

All these nice stuff Akpabio . Really . Am liking these guy oooo

Hmmmmm,

How many bills have he passed?

How many projects commissioned in his constituency?

Please let's stop celebrating mediocrity

Please Akpabio mention one bill that has changed people's lives in your village. You can fool them please but don't cross your village while you are doing that. The rest of us can see that.

Just before you jack the house budget think of how many lives #150 billion can change, joy for your family account pain for the rest of us. Investing half of that on factories and education would go a long way.

Tk007:
All these nice stuff Akpabio . Really . Am liking theae guy oooo

Please state one of his achievement for the time wasted

In the glorified hallowed chambers

Tk007:
Very nice article i must say. I never knew Akpabio was such a great man. I am so Akpabio for president now . We need more people like this.I have heard so much about him. The part I love the most in this article is he has utilized his copious experience in the executive in addressing developmental issues that continue to beset Nigeria’s fledgling democracy.

#Akpabio for president

Though akpabio did some little work in akwa ibom

Having said that compared to the money he received

Both IGR and FAAC I will rate him 30%

sarrki:



Please state one of his achievement for the time wasted

In the glorified hallowed chambers

Nigeria can never be great because we keep producing people as stupid as that guy very painful.