I’ve never meddled in NASS affairs since 2015 —Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari credited the harmonious relationship between the Executive and the Legislature on Thursday for the accomplishments of his administration. He also refused to meddle in the legislative branch’s affairs and encouraged a culture of respect and cooperation between the two branches.
During the official commissioning of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies’ permanent location, Buhari made this announcement. He expressed confidence that the magnificent complex has the potential to significantly increase the capacity of the legislature in Nigeria and throughout Africa.
He said: “As you are all aware, I have traversed all parts of Nigeria in the last few days commissioning several critical national infrastructures that my administration has completed over the last eight years. Our successes as a government are primarily due to the harmonious relationship between the Executive and the Legislature.
“It is my expectation that NILDS will utilize this site to provide targeted capacity building to legislators, political parties, and civil society to enable them better respond to changing circumstances,” he noted.
In his remarks, Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan asserted that Buhari’s administration over the past eight years has pursued what has been described as the most ambitious infrastructure programme since independence in 1960.
“We in the Ninth National Assembly have supported the President in ensuring the timely delivery of these critical infrastructures. Notably, in the last three years, the Senate and the House dedicated a substantial part of the national budget towards funding infrastructure development across all six geo-political zones.
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While acknowledging that the time for the 9th Assembly to wind down draws to a close, Senator Lawan assured that the Assembly will “leave behind an enduring legacy for the succeeding Assemblies.
“I challenge the incoming Leadership and Members of the Tenth National Assembly to carry on with the same vigor and dedication as we did and build on our achievements. I call on the Director-General, Management, and staff of the Institute to utilize this edifice to advance democracy in Nigeria and beyond.”
On his part, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila urged President Buhari to grant assent to both the Federal Audit Bill and National Assembly Budget and Research Office (NABROl Bill which seeks to enhance the oversight function of Committees as critical legislative priorities as well as improve transparency and accountability in government processes.
Also speaking, NILDS Director General, Professor Olanrewaju Sulaiman observed that: “Despite these challenges, the Institute has established itself as Africa’s premier legislative capacity-building institution, as attested by its highly valued services and outputs. In the past decade, NILDS has considerably closed the capacity challenges that have limited the effectiveness of the legislature in Nigeria. Moreover, through its various programmes and interventions, the lawmaking and oversight functions of the legislature have also been significantly strengthened.
He also eulogized the roles played by successive leadership of the National Assembly, especially, Senator David Mark who laid the foundation for this project, as well as Professor Ladi Hamalai who worked tirelessly towards actualizing this permanent site.
I’ve never meddled in NASS affairs since 2015 —Buhari
