By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured Nigerians that political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections will not disrupt the legislative duties of the National Assembly.
Akpabio gave the assurance on Saturday, 29 August, 2026 while speaking with journalists at the Presidential Wing of the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo, saying lawmakers would continue to discharge their constitutional responsibilities despite increasing political activities ahead of the elections.
He said lawmakers were elected for four years and must balance their political engagements with their legislative responsibilities.
“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,” Akpabio said.
The Senate President said lawmakers could schedule campaign activities around their legislative duties, with campaigns held in the afternoons or evenings while parliamentary business continued in the mornings.
“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.
Akpabio’s remarks followed growing political consultations by parties, political leaders and prospective candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Days earlier, he convened a meeting of key 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.
The development has heightened political activities across the country, prompting concerns about the possible effect of electioneering on legislative business.
Akpabio, however, maintained that lawmakers could participate in political activities without compromising their constitutional mandate.
He said the National Assembly would continue its core responsibilities of lawmaking, oversight and representation throughout the current legislative term, while lawmakers seeking re-election or other political offices participate in their parties’ campaigns.
The Senate President’s assurance comes as political parties and aspirants intensify consultations and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 polls.
