President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged legislators to uphold national interest, emphasizing the imperative of national understanding and harmonious working relationship between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition senators.
He gave the advice on Wednesday night at a meeting with senators-elect at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting is one of several engagements between the President and lawmakers even as the 10th National Assembly gets inaugurated on June 13.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu currently in a closed door meeting with Senators-Elect and House Rep Members-Elect of the 10th National Assembly at the Villa ahead of the June 13th Inauguration of the 10th NASS pic.twitter.com/EYpGcOKntL
— Daddy D.O🇳🇬 (@DOlusegun) June 8, 2023
The President reiterated his support for the zoning of positions of principal officers of the 10th National Assembly, endorsed by the governing party, urging APC senators to embrace it as a collective decision.
“At this point in our history and with challenges facing us as a new administration, all hands must be on deck to salvage the unpalatable situation facing the nation.
“We must see the situation as a pan-Nigerian project for the Executive and the Legislature to work out solutions to the challenges of the nation.
“Finding solutions to the myriads of national problems cannot come from the Executive arm of government alone but by the working together of the Executive and the Legislature,” said Tinubu.
Also at the meeting with all National Assembly members-elect, the President urged them to work for the country’s good and to eschew partisanship.
One of the members representing Ningi/Warji Federal Constituency in Bauchi State, Adamu Ranga, said that President Tinubu did not voice support for any of the candidates vying for the Senate or House of Representatives leadership, but called for a united front.
“Mr. President emphasized that he will run an open-door policy:
“Whoever wants to see him can see him without any hindrance. And whatever you want to discuss with him, he will give you that privilege to discuss.
“Mr. President spoke to the general assembly both the Senate and the House of Representatives in order to ensure that we have a solid government.
“He mentioned that he wants the Senate and the House to cooperate to elect good leaders.
“He said we should put our constituencies first since we are here to represent them,” said Adamu Ranga.
However, the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said the APC may be in for a surprise.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, told reporters that all the opposition parties constitute a majority.
This numerical strength, he said, will be deployed to frustrate the APC’s plans to dominate the National Assembly leadership.
“The PDP leadership is working together with our members-elect and opposition parties. Irrespective of the ongoing claims in the media, I want to inform you that the PDP has a clear direction which we hold close to our chest.
“Our members are united in that direction, and it will show on the floor of both Houses of the National Assembly on Tuesday.
“In all, we do not discountenance the fact that, put together, the opposition parties have the majority in the National Assembly which we are ready to deploy maximally,” said Ologunagba.
A Labour Party House of Representatives-elect, Victor Ogene, said his party had not decided on how to vote. He said once a decision is made, they would go in the same direction.
“I can assure you that we are going to vote in block. Consultation is on. I do not know those we will vote for yet, but I know those we will not vote for. We will not be railroaded in choosing anybody. It will be a conscious decision,” he said.
Edited by Amaka E. Nliam
