President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that the relationship between himself and the leadership of the Senate and the House of Representatives under Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and House Speaker, Yakubu Dogara was not the best.
Buhari spoke at the daily breaking of Ramadan fast (Iftar) he hosted the National Assembly leadership which was led by Saraki.
According to the president, the nation deserved better than it got.
He also said he hoped for a better working relationship between the two arms of government in the 9th National Assembly.
“Relations between the Executive and the Legislature were not the best in the 8th National Assembly. I sincerely hope each one of us will do his utmost to ensure there is a better working relationship between these two arms of government in the 9th Assembly so that we can serve the people better,” he said.
He also said the the principal task of the National Assembly “is to cooperate with the Executive so that together we can fashion policies that will lift our people out of poverty and out of illiteracy. I appeal to the Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members to subordinate all personal interests and ambitions to the imperative of working for the common good of our people.”
In a further email which the president sent to PREMIUM TIMES through his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, he congratulated the members-elect on their success in winning their constituency seats.
He said, “this is a great burden and a great responsibility placed on you by your people. Our citizens are faced with challenges of poverty.
“Your principal task is to cooperate with the Executive so that together we can fashion policies that will lift our people out of poverty and out of illiteracy. I appeal to the Distinguished Senators and Honourable Members to subordinate all personal interests and ambitions to the imperative of working for the common good of our people.”
He assured the leaders that his doors remained open “to all of you who have genuine concerns or advice to improve the quality of governance and service delivery to our people.”
Senate President Saraki assured the president that the National Assembly would maintain focus on national interest at all times.
The event was attended by the Deputy Senate President, the Deputy Speaker, the majority and minority leaders, the majority and minority whips and their deputies.
