Politics
John Akubo, Abuja
The Senate has dismissed insinuations by the House of Representatives suggesting deliberate delays in the consideration of bills transmitted from the lower chamber, affirming its unwavering commitment to legislative diligence, responsibility, and national interest.
Reacting during Tuesday’s plenary to recent resolutions and media reports, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, expressed concern over what they described as an unfortunate attempt to politicize legislative procedure.
Akpabio stated,“We cannot joke with concurrence bills from the House of Representatives. We have been treating them and will continue to do so. It takes two hands to clap, and our collaboration remains essential for democracy to thrive.”
In an apparent response to the House’s move to suspend consideration of Senate-initiated bills over claims of inaction on over 140 House bills—including several sponsored by the Speaker—the Senate Leader, Senator Bamidele, laid the facts bare.
“Just last week, the Senate passed six concurrence bills from the House. Today, the first two items on our Order Paper are also from the House. This chamber is doing its job—and doing it with the seriousness it deserves.”
He added that the Senate, as a leading democratic institution, would never abandon its duty of scrutiny simply to appease perceptions.
“Reciprocity does not mean rubber-stamping. Our job is not to say yes to everything. Our job is to act in the best interest of Nigerians. That includes applying due diligence, no matter the source of the bill.”
He reiterated that the Senate would not be drawn into inter-chamber theatrics but would stay focused on its constitutional mandate.
“This is not a contest of egos. It’s about service to the Nigerian people. We remain committed to meaningful collaboration with our colleagues in the House—rooted in facts, not fiction.”
The Senate urged stakeholders and the public to rely on verified legislative records and not sensational headlines when assessing the work of the National Assembly.
