We’re committed to Buhari’s war against corruption – Dogara

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said the 8th National Assembly is fully committed to the war against corruption being propagated by President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government.

He spoke as a guest speaker at the 4th Convocation ceremony of the Achievers University, in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, titled “Legislative Oversight as a Critical Component of Good Governance” held at the institution’s permanent campus site.

‎He reiterated that the 8th House of Representatives is committed to the policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to rid the country of corruption.

“The 8th House of Representatives committed itself to fighting corruption and abuse of office in its Legislative Agenda” Dogara said, but acknowledged that the setback and challenges with the oversight activities of the legislature had also drawn back good governance in the country.

He identified lack of cooperation by Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the executive branch with public misconception of its mandate as some of the critical challenges bedeviling the legislative system in the country.

‎Besides, he spoke of inadequate funding of oversight activities, and shortage of resources to conduct a proper oversight function pointing out that though there might be few bad eggs that would not live up to their oath of legislative duties among the Federal lawmakers but assured that the leadership of the Assembly was ready to deal with cases of midemeanour.

“There is no doubt that good governance is essential for the achievement of social, political and economic progress in society. It is the means through which the state can effectively address the allocation and management of resources to enable it respond to the collective good of society without discrimination”, he said.

He maintained that the country as a fledgling democracy with a chequered history of military rule is yet to attain its full potential in the practice of good governance through legislative oversight adding that in all fairness, the National Assembly has been a dependable organ of government but had been willingly using its constitutional powers of oversight for good and accountability.

“Each successive Assembly has made efforts in improving on the effectiveness of its legislative oversight function to promote good governance and accountability in Nigeria”, he said adding that the cardinal principle that defines the synergy between the legislature and executive is cooperation and not confrontation in order help achieve good governance in the country.