Senate President Godswill Akpabio has issued a firm warning to government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, declaring that compliance with Senate resolutions is not a matter of choice but a constitutional duty. Speaking in Abuja through Senator Osita Ngwu at the 2nd National Workshop organized by the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, Akpabio stressed that any attempt by public institutions to ignore or selectively follow legislative directives directly threatens the trust and authority of the National Assembly and the Nigerian people.
He described the legislature’s role as central to transparency, equity, and accountability in governance. Akpabio called for immediate alignment between government agencies and the National Assembly, saying the era of impunity must be replaced with a culture of respect, discipline, and engagement. He emphasized that institutions must not only respect Senate resolutions but must implement them without delay.
Senator Ede Dafinone, Chair of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance, echoed Akpabio’s concerns. He criticized the growing trend of government agencies delaying or ignoring Senate decisions. Dafinone said such behavior eroded the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy and undermined the authority of lawmakers. According to him, the workshop was designed to uncover the reasons behind non-compliance, including legal confusion, rivalry among institutions, poor capacity, and bureaucratic delays. He called on stakeholders to help develop workable and realistic solutions that ensure better alignment between laws and their execution.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Francis Usani, representing the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, praised the workshop as timely and necessary. He pointed out the growing disregard for laws and policies and warned that this trend threatens institutional order. Usani reminded participants that the legislature is not only empowered to make laws but also to ensure they are obeyed. He warned that the absence of compliance leads to chaos, even when laws exist.
The workshop, themed “Consolidating Strategies for Strengthening Legislative Compliance by MDAs,” brought together key voices from the legislative and enforcement sectors, all pushing for a renewed commitment to lawful governance.
