Nigeria’s Senate President, Ahmed Lawan has said that the relationship between the Executive and Legislative arms of government under him will be devoid of rancour, malice and animosity. The lawmaker insists that Nigeria needs collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government .
Lawan noted that any discord between the two arms of government would hinder the progress of the country stressing that he would use his relationship with the executive to improve economic standard of every Nigeria.
Addressing senators during the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, June 2, in Abuja, Lawan said there was serious poverty in the land and that only concerted efforts by the two arms of government could address the issue.
According to report in Legit.ng the senate president had been meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on the challenges facing the country and that he would continue to do that in his position as the Senate president.
He said: “I have in recent weeks had discussions with President Muhammadu Buhari on the challenges facing the country and how we can leverage our position as lawmakers to help him deliver on his mandate.
“I will be doing more of that in the coming weeks and months. If we must build an economy that lifts majority of our people out of poverty, there is need for a serious collaboration between the executive and the legislature.”
Lawan stressed that there was a need for a serious collaboration between the executive and the legislature in order to build an economy that lifts majority of Nigerians out of poverty.
He also noted that he intends to work closely with president in the interest of Nigeria without compromising the integrity of the National Assembly as an independent arm of government with oversight powers.
The Senate president said as someone that has been in the upper legislative chamber for the past 20 years, he understood the principle of separation of powers fairly well.
“The system of checks and balances which we practise in Nigeria today was enshrined to safeguard the values of justice and the rule of law and deliver public good.
“Therefore, in a season when majority of Nigerians are more concerned with outcomes that reflect their concerns, the best way to serve that interest is through cooperation and collaboration,” he said.
He tasked his colleagues to remain patriotic and constructive in their engagements both inside and outside the chambers of the Senate, saying they must also tolerate one another.
“On my part, I pledge to lead in a bipartisan and unifying manner,” he said.
