2027 campaigns won’t disrupt N’Assembly duties — Akpabio

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The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Saturday assured Nigerians that political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections will not disrupt the National Assembly’s legislative duties.

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Akpabio said lawmakers would continue to carry out their constitutional responsibilities despite the increasing political activities and consultations ahead of the next general elections.

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The Senate President spoke with journalists at the Presidential Wing of the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, according to a Saturday statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom.

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His comments came days after he convened a meeting of critical stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in the Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, where President Bola Tinubu, Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno were endorsed for another term in office in 2027.

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With political parties and aspirants gradually intensifying consultations and preparations ahead of the elections, concerns have been raised in some quarters about whether electioneering activities could affect legislative and other government responsibilities.

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But Akpabio dismissed such concerns, saying members of the National Assembly had the capacity to balance their political activities with the mandate for which they were elected.

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He said, “We are elected for four years, and we are going to work for four years. Anybody who is walking on the tiny rope must be able to do the balancing act. We are politicians, and campaigns will start very soon. Campaigns can be fixed in the afternoons or evenings while we do our work in the mornings.

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“It is not a problem at all. It is not everybody that will go for campaign at the same time because we belong 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 stressed.

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Akpabio maintained that electioneering and legislative responsibilities were distinct and that the commencement of campaigns would not affect the work of the parliament.

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The Senate President’s assurance comes amid growing political activities across the country, with political leaders, parties and prospective candidates holding consultations and mobilising support ahead of the 2027 polls.

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The National Assembly is expected to continue its core functions of lawmaking, oversight and representation throughout the lifespan of the current administration, while lawmakers seeking re-election or other political offices are also expected to participate in their respective parties’ campaign activities.

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