President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday counted the blessings accruing from the cooperation he has received from the Ninth National Assembly headed by Senate President, Ahmad Lawal.
This is in sharp contrast with his position on the preceding Eighth National Assembly which he repeatedly accused of frustrating his administration’s programmes.
Speaking at a Joint Executive-Legislative Leadership Retreat, held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja, Buhari said he had been able to achieve development goals and overcome the impact of Covid-19 on the economy, with hefty support from the federal lawmakers.
According to the President, some of the gains recorded from working together also include: accelerated passage of the 2020 Budget and its review in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, timely confirmation of nominees, and passage of critical legislations by the National Assembly.
He, therefore, appreciated the Ninth National Assembly for the understanding, support and quick response to policy directions of the government; and called for more synergy to consolidate on the gains recorded, particularly the ongoing effort to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in ten years.
Buhari said: “This retreat provides us another opportunity to interface, reflect, brainstorm and engage as One Government. I use the word One Government because there can only be one Government in a nation at a time and officials both elected and appointed in the Executive or Legislative arm must all be working for the peace, unity and development of our country.
“This Retreat named: “Promoting Effective Executive-Legislative Partnership: Finding a Middle Ground” is apt as it reflects the peculiarity of a Presidential system of government like ours.
“The experience of the last 20 years of steady democratic practice in Nigeria has underlined the need for effective partnership and collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government to deliver on our mandate.’’
The President told the legislators that the Federal Executive Council had already streamlined its priorities to nine areas of development, and Ministers had been mandated to align their targets with the bigger picture of making life better for all Nigerians, urging the legislature to align its priorities as well.
“While all members of the Federal Executive Council have been given clear mandates and yearly targets towards achieving the set indicators and goals, I recognize the critical role of the National Assembly in helping to deliver this Agenda and the strategic goals set by this Government.
“We cannot do this alone without your support and collaboration. I am equally aware that both the Senate and the House of Representatives have adopted the new Legislative Agenda for the current Assembly. I must thank the Senate President and Rt. Honourable Speaker for the updated version of the Legislative Agenda of the 9th National Assembly.
“The urgent need for aligning the 9-Point priority Agenda and the Legislative Agenda of both the Senate and the House of Representatives cannot be over-emphasized.
I will therefore suggest that a Technical Committee be established after this retreat to harmonise these critical and strategic documents to help improve synergy and coordination”, he stated.
The President equally charged the Nigerians to be patient with government, advising that whenever there’s any legislation they have misgivings about, “they should engage the process for such laws in line with democratic processes.”
“Let me also remind our fellow patriots, countrymen and women, that the process of law-making and governance are dynamic and ever evolving.
“I will seek their indulgence to be patient with any legislation or law which they have certain misgivings about, and engage the process for reviewing such laws in line with democratic practices.’’
