Saraki to 10th Senate President: Set up Legislative Agenda To Focus On Passing Legislation And Debating Motions

By Ahmed Ajikobi

Former senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki has tasked the 10th Senate to set up a Legislative Agenda for easy running of the affairs of the Senate.

Saraki noted that, the Legislative Agenda will help the current senate to focus on passing legislation and debating motions that address issues affecting the people like the poor state of the economy, youth unemployment, high inflation rate, gross devaluation of the Naira, rising public debt, national insecurity, endemic corruption, low productivity, and poor social services.

The ex-senate president stated this last Friday at IKot Ekpene where he chaired a session in a retreat of the 10th senate, a programme organised by the leadership of the Senate and NILDS to source ideas for the Legislative Agenda.

In his contribution to the gathering, Saraki emphasized the importance to the 10th Assembly. According to him,”having a Legislative Agenda as we had in the 8th Senate will help the current Senate to focus on passing legislation and debating motions that address issues affecting the people like the poor state of the economy, youth unemployment, high inflation rate, gross devaluation of the naira, rising public debt, national insecurity, endemic corruption, low productivity, and poor social services. This will, in turn, help to strengthen the integrity of the institution and earn it the support of the people”.

“This is because hunger, poverty, and generally poor standard of living do not discriminate based on party, tribe, religion, and gender when they wreak havoc on the people.”

Saraki further explained that, “As regards the issue of cooperation between the legislature and the executive, I believe that if the Senate develops a Legislative Agenda that addresses the issues affecting the lives of the people, it will be in sync with the executive and both arms of government will be on the same page. Therefore, the problem of lack of cooperation cannot arise”.

“However, it is my opinion that cooperation is not the same thing as the compromise of the constitutional responsibilities of the legislature, as we witnessed in the 9th Senate. Cooperation with the executive should not in any way make the legislature abdicate or shirk its responsibilities. The legislature can co-operate with the executive and still effectively perform its constitutional responsibilities.”

Saraki why hammering on the Legislative Agenda, thanked God for the 10th Senate for having an opportunity of working with a President, Vice President and other cabinet members.

“Thank God, the 10th Senate has the advantage of working with a President, Vice President, Chief of Staff to the President, and SGF who all have legislative experience. This will lay a good foundation for synergy between both arms of government and make the job of the legislature an easier one. It is an opportunity that other Senate sessions did not have, and so the 10th Senate should not miss utilizing the situation for the benefit of the country.”

He advised the 10th Senate to make the Legislative Agenda a priority and to guide the senators so as not to distract them in their activities.

“It is my advice that in deciding on what major bills, motions, and oversight assignments to take on, the Legislative Agenda should be uppermost as a guide to the senators so that they are at no time distracted. The senators should remember that without deliberate efforts to realize the objectives contained in the agenda, the remaining 43 months in their tenure can just fly past with no concrete achievement.

“I congratulate members of the 10th Senate for the foresight behind the retreat, through which they were able to tap into the experiences of many of the past Senate Presidents. We look forward to seeing a vigorous, vibrant, and successful session of the 10th Senate. I wish all the senators a successful and impactful tenure. ”

Saraki said,”My presence at the retreat is a clear indication of my willingness to always support any initiative that is aimed at strengthening the legislative institution”