Doguwa assures of cordial realtions between Presidency, NASS

Leader of the House of Representatives, Rep. Ado Doguwa has assured that the 9th National Assembly will restore the cordial relations between the legislature and the executive arm of government which he said was lacking in the 8th assembly.

Speaking when members of the House of Representatives Press Corps visited, Rep. Doguwa said that for Nigerians to reap the dividends of democracy; there must be understanding of issues between the two arms of government.

According to him, even though in some quarters, such close relations and understanding between the two arms of government is viewed as the legislature being a rubber stamp, such relationship is sacrosanct in a true democracy.

The majority leader disclosed that the 9th House of Representatives under Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila has proposed lots of reforms in the National Assembly, explaining that top on the list is the amending the Electoral Act.

He decried what he described as negative perception of the National Assembly by Nigerians and appealed to journalists to always project the legislature in good light especially to their constituents who he said may be ignorant of the workings of the National Assembly.

“It is too bad that whenever they hear that N11 billion or more has been budgeted for the National Assembly, their thinking is that the money is shared by the 360 members of the House of Representatives and the 109 senators.

“I want you members of the press corps to educate them through your various media houses on how the legislature works and what they have to encounter to be able to make laws for the good of all Nigerians,” he stated.

Earlier in her speech, the Chairperson of the Press Corps, Mrs. Grace Ike said the visit was to congratulate Rep. Doguwa on his new position and assured him of the support and cooperation of members in areas of public enlightenment and education.