‘Politics should benefit all Nigerians, not a privileged few’, says Sen Nwoko

Senator Ned Nwoko (APC–Delta) has called for a more inclusive approach to politics, stressing that governance should serve the collective interest of Nigerians rather than a select few.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Thursday, Nwoko said political leadership should be driven by the desire to make the country great.

He urged political and other national leaders to adopt innovative thinking and focus on the welfare of the people.

According to him, only Nigerians themselves particularly those in leadership positions have the power to make the nation great.

“No one else can make our country great except we, the opportunistic political leaders,” he stated.

“That is why my political ideals and actions align with the need to break down walls of exclusive politics, promoting inclusive governance that delivers justice, development, and true dividends for all residents in Delta North and Nigeria at large.”

The lawmaker, the Senate Committee Chairman on Reparations and Repatriation, reflecting on his two-year journey in the Senate, said that this had also shaped his Bills in the Senate.

“As I continue to reflect on my two-year journey in the Senate, I take pride in highlighting one of the strongest pillars of my legislative record: the sponsorship of 34 transformative Bills that speak directly to the needs of Nigerians and the future of our nation.

“Each of these bills represents my unwavering commitment to people-centered governance, economic reform, youth empowerment, institutional strengthening, and the equitable development of all regions, particularly Delta North, which I proudly represent,” he said.

He listed the bills to include the Constitutional Alteration for the Creation of Anioma State, Nigerian Youth Entrepreneurship Grant Programme (Establishment) Bill, and the Waste Management and Malaria Eradication Agency (Establishment) Bill.

“I also sponsored a bill on the One-Month Rent Limitation and Landlord Registry Act. This legislation caps advance rent to one month for defined residential categories and establishes a national tenancy registry.

“It seeks to promote fairness, transparency, and rental insurance mechanisms while strengthening housing policy and protecting tenants.

“There is also the Bill on Electoral Courts Establishment and Jurisdiction Act, Compulsory Professional Indemnity Act, and the Cashless Asset Acquisition Act.”

According to him, the Cashless Asset Acquisition Act is a Bill that requires property and high-value transactions to be processed through traceable, cashless systems.

“It integrates registries with AML and KYC databases to combat illicit financial flows and promote transparency.”

Nwoko further listed other bills he sponsored to include the Self-Defense and Firearm Ownership Regulation Act, the Coroners Systems (Re-Enactment) Act, 2023, and the ECOWAS Parliament Election Governance Act.

He also listed the Diaspora Voting Bill, Parliamentary Governance System Act, Nigerian Defence Academy (Amendment) Bill – Delta State Campus, and the Upgrade of Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic to Federal University of Technology Bill.

“Others are the Private Security Companies Regulation and Licensing Bill, Constitutional Alteration for Mandatory First Aid, CPR & AED Training, Good Samaritan Laws (2024), National Talent Rehabilitation and Integration Agency (Establishment) Bill, 2024, and the Public Service Rules (Alteration) Bill – Extension of Retirement Age.

“This bill seeks to extend the retirement age in critical sectors while embedding succession mentoring, health screening, and performance metrics.

“There is also the CBN Act Amendment to Prohibit Foreign-Currency Remuneration, National Social Security Agency (NSSA) Bill, National Centre for Substance Abuse Management (NCSAM) – Ndemili, Delta, Federal Universities of Technology (Amendment) Bill – Upgrade of FCE (Technical) Asaba to FUT Asaba, and the Mandatory Military Service for Youths (Establishment) Bill,” he said.

The Reparations and Repatriation committee chairman further listed the National Vigilante Group (Establishment) Bill, Orthopedic Hospital, Onicha-Ugbo (Establishment) Bill, and the Federal College of Education (Establishment) Bill – Akwukwu-Igbo.

He added that the National Ranching Development and Management Bill, Immigration Act Amendment – Visa-Free Entry for AU Passport Holders, FRSC Act Amendment – Restriction of Daytime Movement of Heavy-Duty Vehicles are also part of the Bills.

“There is the Federal College of Agriculture (Establishment) Bill – Idumuje-Ugboko, Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (Amendment) Bill, Actors Guild of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, Nigeria Data Protection Act (Amendment) Bill – Mandatory Physical Offices for Social Media Platforms, and the Institute for Leadership, Entrepreneurial and Corporate Governance (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (SB.921).

According to him, this bill establishes an Institute dedicated to promoting ethical leadership, entrepreneurship, and corporate governance across sectors.

“It will train executives, policymakers, and emerging leaders to drive institutional integrity and sustainable national development.

“These 34 bills reflect my vision of a reformed, equitable, and globally competitive Nigeria where governance works for the people, institutions serve with integrity, and every citizen, from Delta North to every part of the Federation, feels the impact of effective representation.

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