* We wont be rubber stamp legislatures, says Speaker Abass
* We dropped our differences to elect Akpabio – Yari’s Spokesman
·* Nigerians expecting us to change our country – Tinubu to Akpabio, Abbas
Akume, congratulates SP
The new President of the Senate, His Excellency Godswill Obot Akpabio, has promised to be a Servant- leader, not a boss to his colleagues and members of the national. He also rolled out five priorities of the 10th Senate under his watch just as he said the laws that would be made by the 10th Senate must align with the vision of President Bola Tinubu’s administration
These were contained in his acceptance speech shortly after he was elected and sworn into office by the Clerk of the National Assembly on Tuesday in Abuja
According to Akpabio the 10th Senate must ensure that it ” protects and provides for our people at the innermost core of their essence while our actions must also guarantee the best and most efficient use of our national commonwealth.”
Akpabio described Tinubu as the President, who is committed to a strong economy, national security, inclusion and the rule of law.
“The antecedents of Mr. President and his actions in office these past two weeks give not just a pointer but bear witness to an executive government that knows the challenges of the country and is in a hurry to resolve same. We should therefore, anticipate an executive that is pro-active, progressive and practical,” he stressed.
The former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, while acknowledging that government is a continuum assured that the Red Chamber, under his leadership would further strengthen the legislative space in continuation of the efforts made by the 9th Senate under the leadership of Dr. Ahmad Lawan.
Akpabio, who represents Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, listed the priority areas as
gender matters, with specific affirmative provisions to guarantee women’s inclusivity; issues relating to persons with special needs and equality; engaging, empowering and rewarding resourceful and innovative youths in terms of protection of intellectual innovations and property, and improved access to finance for technological start-ups.
He also promised that the 10th Senate would look into the expansion of the revenue streams available to the country, “especially from our huge but largely unregulated natural and solid mineral resources base”, adding that “these additional sources of revenue will build the nation’s resilience to shocks and stresses resulting from the fluctuation of oil prices in the international market.”
“We will, as a forward-looking Senate, pass laws that emphasize economic viability, social acceptability and environmental sustainability, to encourage alternate and green technologies without prejudicing our developmental needs,” he said.
He, therefore, stressed the need for the Red Chamber to partner with President Tinubu to provide the required legislative framework and legal environment for him to anchor the policies and programmes that he espouses for the country.
The former Akwa Ibom State governor, promised his colleagues “a servant leadership”, saying that “it shall be an uncommon leadership.”
Akpabio also extended his sincere hands of fellowship to his colleagues, including those who, at a time, may have had different opinions regarding the leadership of the Senate.
He said: “These expressions of differing and opposing opinions and views are but the fabric that democracy is made of. Democracy, ultimately, has to do with choice, and there can be no real choice where and when there are no alternatives.
“It is time now to go forward with the task set before us as a collective body – the promulgation of laws and enactments for the well-being and security of the country and as a check on the executive arm of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in our oversight functions.
“Together, we shall reach and surpass the expectations of the Nigerian people regarding us, and our roles in building a better, safer, more inclusive, prosperous, efficient and ethical country.”
To the Nigerian people, he said:
“Your dreams, your aspirations, and your well-being will be at the heart of everything we will do in this Senate. I urge you to remain hopeful, steadfast” he assured
* We won’t be rubber stamp legislatures, says Speaker Abass
The newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt Hon Tajudeen Abbas has assured that the 10th national assembly members would not be a rubber stamp to the Executive Arm of government but would safely guard the sanctity of the legislature.
He said this in a chat with newsmen shortly after he was sworn in by the Clerk of the National Assembly on Tuesday. The outcome 9th National assembly was widely accused of being a rubber stamp to the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
When asked what he would tell Nigerians because already some people are afraid that the 10th National Assembly might be a rubber stamp in the hands of the executive, being that he was favoured by the APC government right from onset?
Abbas answered: “ Look at the acceptance rate those who have elected those across party lines, almost all the whole entire PDP, SDP, ADC and all other minority parties voted us.
“So, if they felt that we are going to be rubber stamps, do think they will elect us? no. They believe that we will safeguard the sanctity of the National Assembly, the legislator, we will always separate our independence and we will relate and be able to harmonize with the executive where necessary. But where there is a conflict of interest where we feel that the executive is or wants to do something that is not in the interest of the public. They know that we’ll stand up against that.”
We dropped our differences to elect Akpabio – Yari’s Spokesman
Meanwhile, Senator Abdul Ningi representing Bauchi Central and deputy Director on Media, Abdulazizi Yari has said the opposition dropped its grievances against Sen Godswill Akpabio and freely voted for him.
Senator Ninigi who was fielding questions from journalists after the inauguration noted that the initial animosity, fears of anticipated drama at the election in the hearts of the opposition disappeared with the smooth conduct of the election.
“The election was free and fair without much anticipated drama. That is what makes the institution of the Senate different.
“The animosity, the fear of what happened in the last two days completely vanished. You go into the hall and you see how people are embracing themselves and that is parliament and that is democracy.
“We have refused to be intimidated by any enforcement and that is why we said there must be an election and those and those who came with the idea of theater party and the sitting government had the day we have no problem, we know we are in the minority, we are in a total disagreement, the election was free and fair, and to be honest no one was expecting it to be so,” he said.
Continuing he said, “The position I took was not the position of my party but that of the minority caucus and you could see not all of us actually voted on the same page.
“Some people actually went to negotiate and that is parliament but I believe in the six months or so we are going to bind together by putting the nation fist like I said in my several interviews. And when you come to the National Assembly you drop the party leaning, of your region, of your religion.”
Nigerians expecting us to change our country – Tinubu to Akpabio, Abbas
Meanwhile, congratulatory messages have been pouring in since Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas were elected as the 10th senate president and that Speaker of House of Representatives respectively yesterday.
Leading the pack is President Bola Tinubu who pledged his commitment to work transparently with the National Assembly, and advised Akpabio, Abbas, and other leaders of the 10th National Assembly that leadership comes with a huge responsibility.
Tinubu disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement.
The President’s statement reads: “The election of Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, and Rt. Honourable Tajudeen Abbas as the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 10th National Assembly is a good development.
“I heartily congratulate them and also rejoice with the new Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu for their well-deserved victories.
“Being elected by their peers as presiding officers and assuming the leadership of the National Assembly is a great honour that comes with a huge responsibility. I trust that you will justify the confidence reposed in you by your members and many Nigerians.
“I wish Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Honourable Member Idris Wase, and Honourable Aminu Jaji, who enriched the process with their participation in the leadership election, the best and most successful tenure in the 10th National Assembly.
“I urge them to sustain the same enthusiasm they brought to the leadership contest in discharging their duties to their constituents and Nigeria.
“My congratulations to all members of the National Assembly, across party lines, who enlisted into the service of the blessed people of our great country.
“We have all been called upon and accepted the responsibility to diligently and faithfully serve our fatherland with our oath. It is time to get on and move swiftly with the governance business in Nigeria’s service.
“As your President, I am prepared to work transparently with the National Assembly. Nigerians expect distinguished senators and honourable members to make laws and carry out oversight duties that will enhance the government’s performance to achieve successful outcomes, including improving their quality of life.
“In the course of our work together, disagreements may occur. When we disagree, it will not be out of malice, ill will, and a quest to diminish the institution of the National Assembly or any individual member.
“Our people across the length and breadth of our country expect so much from us. They want us to lift their economic burden. They want us to eliminate insecurity so our farmers in rural communities can go to their farms and produce the food we eat.
“Our people look up to us to change the fortunes of our country for good and remove all barriers that impede progress. All of these we can make happen with dedication and commitment. We can only achieve all the good things we promised during our campaigns when we work together in harmony but with respect for our respective prerogatives, and in the best interest of our country.
“We cannot afford to waste this opportunity because Nigerians want us to make every day of the next four years count. Justifiably, our people want more from their government. They truly deserve progressive, good governance that will improve their standards of living. We must give them our best.
“I will remain a partner in progress for Nigeria’s peace, stability, and prosperity. I count on the leadership of the 10th National Assembly and all members to work and walk with me on this governmental journey. Once again, I send my best wishes.”
In his contribution, Secretary to the government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, described the election of Godswill Akpabio as Senate President, “free and fair, adding that the senators decided in their wisdom to put the interest of the nation first.
“The is what the President, Bola Tinubu has been talking about and we are very elated with the outcome of this election”, he said.
In his contribution, Secretary to the government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, described the election of Godswill Akpabio as Senate President, “free and fair, adding that the senators decided in their wisdom to put the interest of the nation first.
“The is what the President, Bola Tinubu has been talking about and we are very elated with the outcome of this election”, he said.