Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured Nigerians that political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections will not interfere with the legislative duties of the National Assembly.
Akpabio said lawmakers would continue to discharge their constitutional responsibilities despite increasing political consultations and activities ahead of the elections.
He spoke to journalists at the Presidential Wing of Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom.
His comments came days after he convened a meeting of All Progressives Congress stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, where President Bola Tinubu, Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno were endorsed for another term in 2027.
Political parties and prospective candidates have stepped up consultations and mobilisation ahead of the polls, raising concerns in some quarters that electioneering could affect legislative and other government responsibilities.
Akpabio, however, dismissed the concerns, saying lawmakers were capable of balancing their political engagements with the responsibilities for which they were elected.
“We are elected for four years, and we are going to work for four years,” he said.
He added that lawmakers could participate in campaign activities outside legislative hours without disrupting parliamentary proceedings.
“Campaigns can be fixed in the afternoons or evenings while we do our work in the mornings. It is not a problem at all,” he said.
Akpabio stressed that lawmakers would not all be campaigning at the same time because they belonged to different political parties.
“Nothing will affect legislation. We will continue to make laws to take care of the needs of the people. It has never affected the work of the parliament,” he said.
The Senate president maintained that electioneering and legislative responsibilities were separate and that the start of campaigns would not undermine the work of the National Assembly.
His comments come amid increasing political activity across the country as parties, political leaders and prospective candidates begin preparations for the 2027 elections.
