Singapore News Channel, Singapore News Network

The state chapter of the ruling party also asked the principal officials to assist President Muhammadu Buhari deliver on his Electoral Mantra of next level.

According to Oyo APC, the ‘”gargantuan task ahead of our APC now is so enormous because the 8th SENATE practically wasted four years opportunity which President Buhari had to turn things around, with deliberate Budgetary delay, awkwardly bastardization of the appropriated Budget from the EXECUTIVE PRIORIZATION to LEGISLATIVE MISCHIEVOUS APPROPRIATION like Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that fell victim of Legislative Vendetta on the Executive, Power Budget slashing to mention just a few.’

“The most important challenge threatening our existence as a Country today are Twin Problems of Youth/Graduate Unemployment and Insecurity which honestly the 8th National Assembly failed Nigerians and which we urge the Leadership of the 9th National Assembly to cooperate with the Executive to face headlong to combat the menace of Foreigners infiltration to our Country to wreck havoc on Nigerians and Job Creation for our Youth that is not feasible with insecure environment for international and local investors to establish Companies and Industries. “

The party emphasized that “Nigerians want Legislation that will takes care of these fundamental basics of life to halt the avoidable desperation of Jobless Nigerian for Greener Pastures that is not available even in the countries they are fleeing to. “

“It is incontrovertible that Nigeria is blessed with good fertile arable flora and fauna that could absorb all our jobless graduates but the Executive need strong Legislation to back up its Electoral Promises. If  Rwanda that was ravaged with Genocide could get it right, APC Oyo state believes that with the new Mandate of  APC in the Executive and The Progressive Leadership of the Legislative Chambers, the cry of RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER Agitations akin to that would have ebbed before 2023 General Elections when Security challenges would have been a thing of the past and with our Youth gainfully employed.”

“On behalf of Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Leader of APC in Oyo state and Chief Akin Oke, the Chairman of APC IN OYO STATE, we congratulate His Excellency, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomole, the National Chairman of APC, The President Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari and His Excellency, Sen Ahmed Tinubu, The National Leader of APC for the success of the emergence of Progressive Leadership of the 9th National Assembly.’

Lagos – All Progressives Congress National Stalwart, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday urged the new 9th National Assembly to extend hands of fellowship and friendship to the Executive to achieve progress in the country.

Tinubu made the call in a congratulatory message entitled: “Nurturing and Deepening National Assembly Institution, Democracy,” released by his media adviser, Mr Tunde Rahman, in Lagos.
He also urged the assembly to do all within their powers to nurture and deepen the institutions of the Legislature and the country’s promising democracy.

According to him, their task is to complement and support President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver on his administration’s progressive agenda to take the country to the Next Level with detailed, timely and progressive legislative initiatives.

“It is imperative that the new leadership quickly departs from the adversarial posture of those that came before and extends hands of fellowship and friendship to the Executive.

“A convivial and cooperative relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government is our best chance at achieving the progress that we, as Nigerians, deserve and it’s incumbent on our new leaders to make this a reality in this next dispensation.

“Our system speaks of complementarity between the Executive and Legislature and does not preclude the Legislature from working harmoniously with the Executive in the service of our people, ” he said.

Tinubu congratulated Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, and their deputies, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege and Alhaji Ahmed Idris Wase, on their election as presiding officers of the 9th National Assembly.

“To have been selected by such overwhelming majorities by their peers is a wonderful honour and a clear demonstration of the implicit confidence reposed in them as leaders and legislators.

“The offices these leaders have been entrusted with are sacred and must not be toyed with.

“Their emergence as leaders of the 9th National Assembly comes at a crucial time in our nation’s history. As we celebrate 20 years of uninterrupted democracy and our new National Democracy Day of June 12.

“We look backwards to recognise the sacrifices and valour of our heroes past. We also look forward with hope for the future of our nation and our democracy, “he said.

Tinubu said that the election of the assembly leaders was free, fair and transparent, saying that it is a further demonstration that the nation’s democracy is functioning well.

He said that their election also reaffirms party supremacy as the leaders were also the choice of the governing APC and the party’s caucus in the National Assembly.

The APC leader also congratulated those who contested the various positions but did not win at present for putting up a gallant fight.

“However, the time has now come to put aside all differences and rally round the new officers to work together.

“I wish the Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker and all their colleagues in the National Assembly a successful and impactful tenure and once again congratulations,” Tinubu said. (NAN)

*Asks them to be magnanimous in victory

President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated the leadership of the 9th National Assembly, following the emergence of Senator Ahmed Lawan as the President of the Senate and Mr Femi Gbajabiamila as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Mr Idris Wase also emerged as the Deputy Senate President and Deputy Speaker respectively.

“The President also salutes all the national legislators and their political parties for their display of patriotism and non-partisanship before and during the election.

“He commends the transparent and fair nature of the voting process, adjudging it as a plus for the democracy in the country,” a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said

Buhari noted that the new leadership was “new dawn, different from duplicity and perfidy of the immediate past.”

He advised the leadership to work for the interest of Nigeria, using their exalted positions.

Buhari touched on the executive-legislature relationship, saying, “The Executive does not desire a rubber stamp Legislature. While separation of powers is essential, collaboration among all Arms of Government should be the name of the game.

“Opposition need not be virulent.”

The President added, “Stepping into the Next Level, the legislature has a big role to play for the goals of the administration to be achieved…This is for the ultimate good of the nation.”

The newly elected President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, says he will be fair to his colleagues irrespective of political, ethnic or religious affiliation.

He said this while delivering his remarks at the end of the inauguration of the 9th Senate, which saw to his emergence.

Lawan said the senate under his leadership would do justice to all to ensure that it perform its role for the benefit of Nigerians.

He added that “elections are over. It shows that we voted for a united senate and it is clear that the outcome is bipartisan.

“All parties including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Young Progressives Party(YPP) voted for me and with this outcome, the 9th Senate is ready to take off as a united senate.

“Today means so many things. It is the commencement of another decade of our democracy and we will work to ensure best global parliamentary practice among other things,” he said.

Lawan, who polled 79 votes to defeat his only contender,  Sen. Ali Ndume, who polled 28 votes, promised to ensure a secure and a prosperous future for all Nigerians.

He promised to run a senate that would be responsive to the needs of the masses whose mandate the senate holds in high esteem.

He called for the support of his colleagues to ensure a robust senate, adding that, “we will not settle for anything less than the best. We will dream big, aim high and take good initiatives.”

Lawan pointed out that the agenda of the 9th senate would include improved Information Communication Technology(ICT).

He added that the senate would work in collaboration with the Executive, to tackle cattle rustling, kidnapping and other crimes bedeviling the nation..

He said, “we will work with the executive for sustained pursuit of national ethical renewal.”

The president of the senate said the 9th senate would address youth unemployment, high rate of suicide, depression, corruption, insecurity among others.

He also said the upper chamber would work towards finding lasting solutions to the disturbing educational challenges in the country, adding that it is embarrassing to have about 14 million out of school children.

He further allayed fears that the senate under him would be subservient to the executive.

According to him, the senate will be independent while working with the executive.

“We will choose unity of purpose instead of conflict,” he said.

He pointed out that he would ensure that senate’s relationship with stakeholders including civil society organisations and the media is strengthened.

He stressed that “we must drive a trans-formative senate dedicated to serving the people with confidence, courage and patriotism.

” In doing so, we are convinced that our past was only a story told while our future can yet be written in gold.”

(NAN)

ABUJA – Governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC under the aegis of Progressive Governors Forum PGF have have congratulated Sen. Ahmad Lawan and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila on their emergence as Senate President and House Speaker respectively.

In a letter addressed to the duo and signed by Chairman of the Forum and Kebbi state Governor, Atiku Bagudu, the governors said they were looking forward to meeting with the new National Assembly leaders with a view to forging a common front for the APC-led federal government.

The letter reads; “I have the pleasure to write on behalf of all our Progressive Governors to congratulate you on your election as the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is indeed a testament to your faith, leadership qualities but also the strength of your character, patience and interpersonal relations capacity. As APC Governors, we look forward to close working relations with you to strengthen the capacity of our party, APC and all our elected representatives to move our dear nation forward.

“While looking forward to an early opportunity to meet you and strategize on how we can accelerate the process of delivering on all our campaign promises, please accept our hearty congratulations and the assurances of our highest regard”.

Dino Melaye, the Senator representing Kogi West in the National Assembly, on Wednesday told the new Senate President, Ahmed Lawan what to do for Nigeria.

He charged Lawan to make Nigeria more important than his party – the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Melaye made the call while congratulating Lawan on his emergence as the Senate President of the 9th Assembly.

In a tweet, Melaye wrote: “Congratulations once again Senator Ahmad Lawal. Make Nigeria more important and above APC.”

Lawan, the Senator representing Yobe North had emerged Senate President yesterday after defeating his rival, Senator Ali Ndume.

The Yobe lawmaker was declared winner of the election to the office of the Senate Presidency of the 9th National Assembly after he polled the highest number of votes.

This followed a hitch-free election on Tuesday at the inauguration of the 9th National Assembly.

The election, which was presided by Mohammed Ataba-Omolori, saw the Yobe Senator scoring 79 votes after ballots sorting.

Former Enugu State governor and Senator representing Enugu East, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, Wednesday said that the expectation of majority of senators is that Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, will steer the affairs of the Senate with listening ear.

Nnamani also said that the election of Lawan was a bipartisan effort.

He told reporters in Abuja that majority of senators-elect believed that “an academic and an intellectual can be able to read between the line, between an antagonistic legislature and a legislature that is alive to its responsibilities and helps the Executive to have a smooth operation of government.”

He said “I believe we are expecting a vibrant Senate. I’ve had opportunity of studying closely the new President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan and I’ve done a review of his background.

“He has a PhD Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System from a UK University. That shows he is an academic, he is a man of study and an intellectual who has information.

“I have also had cause to work with him. I was in the Senate for four years. He was Chairman, Public Accounts Committee at that time. I’ve also had opportunity to interact with him and I’ve found him a gentleman.

“He comes across as an intellectual and a man in total control of his temperament. So I’m looking forward to working with him.

“He certainly has my support. I believe he’s going to steer the Senate with listening ears.

“So based on the election of Ahmad Lawan that happened on Tuesday, I can tell you it was a bipartisan effort.

“As an academic and an intellectual can be able to read between the fine line, between an antagonistic legislature and a legislature that is alive to its responsibilities and helps the Executive to have a smooth operation of government.”

“I believe that the two arms of government (Executive and Legislature) are co-dependent and as long as we wish each other well; as long as the focus is Nigeria, the Senate can act independently.

“The Senate can assert itself without confronting the Executive or jeopardizing the goals of discipline.

“I believe that Senator Ahmad Lawan is going to find a meeting point between the level of independence and the level of frustrating the Executive. But the two go together.

“After all you have to remember that this presidential constitutional democracy started in America.

“It was essentially legislated into existence. The founding fathers of the United States and the framers of their Constitution were essentially legislators.

“The people that wrote their Constitution, (headed by General Washington who was the Commander-in Chief during the war) had an option of either going with a monarchy or a constitutionally elected executive, but they decided to go with the latter.”

According to him the framer of the Nigeria did envisaged that there will be antagonism between the Executive and the Legislature “because it is actually one government.” “That is why in America, the Vice President is the President of the Senate,” he said.

He noted that when a party gets elected into government, if the party is in control of the Executive and Legislature, “it means that both arms would work together.”

The leader in the Executive, he said, will call the Legislature to brief them of their policies and programmes and find out of those are workable.

According to him, the Legislature may suggest some amendments to what the Executive presents.

“Thereafter, the policies can be formally presented to the Legislature who will now convince the opposition to pass it,” he said.

Nnamani added, “If you look at how constitutional democracy was developed, the idea was not that the two arms of government will fight or be antagonistic to each other. The idea was that they are going to be co-dependent and work together.

“So if the party in the majority is in government and controls the Executive, if they are lucky and they are also control of the Legislature, they are going to work together.

“There is no dividing line. It is one government.

“Now if they convince the opposition and it buys into the plan, it sails through but if they can’t convince the opposition, the matter will be out to vote. If they win, you go along with it.

On his legislative agenda, the Enugu East Senator listed health issues, road infrastructure, South East Development as part of his focus.

He said, “Not only will this be my advocacy, it will be my responsibility to go to my colleagues, visit them one by one and appeal to them to ensure equity and fairness in development.”

“I hope it will reduce maternal mortality in Adamawa and beyond,” she said, urging the Federal Government to provide enough staff to run the complex,” she said.

Aisha Buhari, wife of Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, led five other African First Ladies on a return to agriculture campaign in her hometown of Yola, Adamawa State.

The African First Ladies are Rebecca Akufo-Addo (Ghana), Fatoumatta Bah-Borrow (Gambia), Dominique Folloux Ouattara ( Ivory Coast), Lalla Malika Issoufou (Niger) and the Chadian First Lady, Hinda Deby Itno.

Mrs. Buhari accompanied by her counterparts visited her alma mater, where she launched a school agricultural programme in conjunction with a fertilizer manufacturing company, in a drive to get young people interested in agricultural pursuits.

The six first ladies supported by the wife of Adamawa State governor, Lami Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, took time to demonstrate by symbolically planting maize at the college.

Mrs. Buhari also inaugurated a 24-bed capacity maternity complex, which she built and donated as part of her moves to mitigate infant andvmaternal mortality in the state.

Speaking at the event, Aisha said the construction of the maternity complex which would be an extension of the Federal Medical Centre in Yola, is in line with federal government’s commitment to effective healthcare delivery.

“I hope it will reduce maternal mortality in Adamawa and beyond,” she said, urging the Federal Government to provide enough staff to run the complex,” she said.

The wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, has called on parents to intensify efforts towards ensuring moral upbringing and education of their children to protect them against engaging in drug abuse.

Mrs Buhari made the call while speaking at the First Lady’s activities to commemorate the June 12 Democracy Day.

The theme of the event was, “Drug Abuse Among Children: Addressing the Challenges”. The wife of the President who was represented by the wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo, assured the children of her determination to support every cause towards ensuring that they achieve their full potential including the fight against drug abuse among them.

“We are determined to address drug abuse which portend a threat towards achieving your full potential,” she said.

She therefore enjoined  parents to prioritise the education of their children as well as encourage  the children to concentrate on their education.

According to her, that was the surest way to achieve a brighter future.

The wife of the President also enjoined members of the media to get involved in the campaign against the spread of drug abuse among women and children in Nigeria.

On his part, the chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on the elimination of Drug Abuse in Nigeria, Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), also expressed the need for parents to take a bold step towards identifying and dealing with drug abuse among their children.

According to him, the committee has made provisions on its recommendations for federal and state governments to collaborate towards checking and dealing with drug related abuses in primary and secondary schools across Nigeria.

Marwa advised government to do more in the areas of counselling, rehabilitation and skills acquisition programmes for the victims of drug abuse.

“Parents must be a good role model for their children, parents must seek medical support for their drug addict children before things get worse.

“During the course of our assignment, we found out that about 15 million persons engage in drug abuse.

“So, we must put strategy in place to track the production  and supply line as well as punish perpetrators and suppliers of these illicit drugs.

“As you  know, Tramadol is scarce because government banned its production and sales,” he said.

Marwa said that lack of parental care was one of the major reasons  children engage in drug abuse.

He said that Nigeria is capable of dealing with the spread of drug trafficking and abuse among children.

He added that the country witnessed a drastic decline in the proliferation  of illicit drugs due to the efforts put in place by the drug law enforcement agencies and the committee to ensure the elimination of menace.

Marwa expressed the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to deal with the menace of drug abuse in Nigeria.

On their part, the members of Nigeria Children Parliament have unanimously agreed to the fact that the way forward was for government to create more awareness and establish more rehabilitation centres especially in the rural areas for proper counselling of the victims.

The preferred candidate of the APC for the position of Senate President in the 9th National Assembly, Senator Ahmad Lawan, said he had the endorsement of 99 senators-elect who would vote for him on Tuesday.

Lawan stated this on Saturday in Abuja where the names of the APC senators, who had endorsed him, were read out.

The implication of Lawan’s claims is that only seven senators-elect across the parties that have representatives in the 9th National Assembly might not vote for him.

The endorsement list contained the names of 60 APC senators-elect and one member of the Young Progressives Party, Ifeanyi Ubah.

Lawan explained, after the list was read by the secretary of his campaign organisation, Senator Barau Jibrin, that only two out of the 62 APC senators-elect had yet to endorse him.

He also said about 38 out of the PDP senators-elect had  promised to vote for him on June 11.

Lawan said he would not make public the list of PDP Senators-elect who had signed up the endorsement list with him for obvious reasons.

He said, “For my colleagues in the APC, this is the first time that members of the National Assembly, whether in the House of Representatives or in the Senate of a particular party, would come together in this unanimous way to endorse a candidate for the office of a Presiding Officer.

“The APC, as of today, stands at 62 senators-elect and the PDP 44 members.

“We have two cases undetermined in Imo State. But one was almost determined yesterday (Friday); that of senator-elect, Rochas Okorocha, when the court said INEC should give him his return certificate.

“That will take the number of APC senators-elect to 63; and of course, YPP, one.

“Out of the 62 with returned certificates in APC, 60 have signed here. But you know, we will love to have the 62 signed.

“We are not prepared to fight each other. We will do everything possible to bring everybody on board because we don’t want distraction.”

He maintained that he was not imposed on the parliament.

Lawan said, “The trouble we have gone through tells a story. We are not an imposition because everybody here wrote their name and signed.”