I won’t lead a rubber stamp Senate, Lawan assures

…Says he desires to provide developmental synergy between Executive, Legislature

Tunde Opalana, Abuja

Leader of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan, has promised not to lead a Senate which will be a rubber stamp of decisions of the Executive arm of government.

Rather than subjecting the Senate under his leadership to whims and caprices of the Presidency, he said he will drive the legislature towards corresponding efforts of the executive in providing good governance for the betterment of Nigerians.

Lawan, who lamented that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and by extension the federal Government could not achieve optimally its programmes in the last four years as a result of not too cordial relationship with the 8th National Assembly, said he is desirous of providing developmental synergy between the two arms of government.

The anointed candidate of the APC for the position of Senate President in the 9th Senate gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving a youth group, All Progressives Congress Youth Forum, who came to pay solidarity support to him in Abuja.

Lawan, however, cautioned that “if by rubber stamp people mean the parliament collaborating with and corroborating efforts of the Executive in implementing policies that will work elevate the country, then I am ready for that”.

He stressed that the country cannot achieve much when the Executive and Legislative are not on the same page on issues and polices.

Commending President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC administration for achieving so much in a short space of almost four years, the Senate Leader said the government in the next four years will do better if it gets necessary support from the National Assembly.

On his aspiration, he said he is not leaving no stone unturned and not underrating any Senator across party lines as he has been engaging senators- elect personally with his campaign team.

Lawan said he is enjoying the support of members of APC, PDP and YPP because they “were persuaded by my mission, convinced by my unmatched parliamentary experience and loyalty as a party man”.

Having being in the opposition for 16 years as a legislator, he allayed fears of opposition that he will not use his good office as Senate President to oppress or suppress members of the opposition.

Spokesperson of the group, Mr. Ife Adebayo said the youths in the party were convinced that Lawan has the leadership qualities needed to lead the 9th Senate.

He said at this point in the nation’s development, the parliament need a committed loyal party man at the helms of affairs and that Lawan is capable of proving such leadership.