Senate President Bukola Saraki was emphatic last night that the National Assembly (NASS) shares a close affinity with the executive arm of government in their mutual commitment to make democracy work for the benefit of all Nigerians.
Saraki and House Speaker Yakubu Dogara led the leadership of both chambers of National Assembly to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, last night after a private meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
As reported by The Niche Wednesday night, conspicuously absent from the meeting was Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu. But other Senate lawmakers who attended were: Senate Leader Ali Ndume; Deputy Majority Leader Bala Ibn N’Allah; Senate Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio and Senate Minority Whip Phillip Aduda.
Speaker Dogara led other members of the House, including his Deputy Yusuf Lasun and House Majority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila.
Saraki explained that the meeting was summoned by the President to interact about ways to meet the expectations of the present government.
He said: “The meeting was an initiative of the President for an interaction with the leadership of the National Assembly. It was a very useful session, being the first one. This kind of interaction helps in ensuring a smooth relationship between the two arms of government.
“We discussed a number of issues. The general commitment is that yes, the National Assembly has legislators from different parties but now we are representing Nigeria. We have a common goal to see that we work together for the interest of the country as a whole.”
Asked if his Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) trial was also discussed at the meeting, Saraki said Nigeria was the topic of the meeting: “We are talking about what will make Nigeria work. We are talking about the promises we made during elections. Those are the big issues we are talking about and to ensure that there are no distractions.
“The focus is to ensure that the executive arm does things in the interest of the county. It is normal in a democratic setting: From time to time, you see the parliament talking with the executive. That is how to make things work.
“What we are taking away is for Nigerians to be confident that government is working. It is a good development. We are all committed to what we are all elected to do: To make Nigeria work.”
Asked why Senator Ekwerenmadu was absent from the meeting, Saraki said: “Two people are not here because they are attending a conference. The Deputy Minority Whip in the House too is not here. It just happened that they are not in the country.”
