Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki |
Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has advised the President Muhammadu Buhari government to respect other arms of government, insisting.that separation of powers must be honoured as spelt out in the constitution.
Saraki also warned that any onslaught against the judiciary will be rejected..
He said this while reference to the trial of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.
Saraki also called for peaceful general elections which are scheduled to begin on February 16.
His full speech below:
“Distinguished colleagues, it is an honour to welcome you all back
after the festive break. I wish each and every one of you, and your
families, a very happy new year 2019. Although the political season has
swung into full gear, it is my hope that you were able to get a bit of
rest and some quiet time during the break; and that you have recharged
your batteries, ready to dive back into legislative work with renewed
vigour.
“As evident all around us, the New Year has met our countrymen and
women in an anticipatory mood. Spirits are high, because in this year
2019, Nigeria has a date with destiny. But we also know that despite all
of this, the work of leadership must go on; governance must not suffer.
We must trudge on and fulfil our mandates as legislators subject to the
Nigerian Constitution and the will of the people.
“As we hit this home run, therefore, my distinguished colleagues, we
must have our eyes firmly fixed on the unfinished business of the 8th
Senate; and that is to bring the legislative agenda to a fitting close
and cap our endeavours of these four years with success. We cannot
relent or lose steam on this last lap; we must remain focused and finish
strong.
“This is an epoch making Senate that had, by the end of 2018, passed
an unprecedented 257 bills, many of which are groundbreaking enough to
change the game to meet the needs of Nigerians, with the potential to
radically transform their lives for the better. Nigerians expect us to
continue in this vein, and we owe it to ourselves to meet their
expectations. The legacy of the 8th Senate will be written in the
legislative footprints that we leave, and the foundation that we lay.
“Therefore, we must ensure that we continue to address issues
affecting Nigerians, and concerning which they seek our intervention.
Issues such as Unemployment, lack of economic opportunities, insecurity
and so on – these still require the attention of the National Assembly.
Every action that we can take to address these issues through the
legislative function, we must take; everything that we can do, we must
do. We must ensure that we conclude work on all outstanding bills and
petitions; and bring successful conclusion to all issues and
investigations brought to the attention of this Senate.
“The 2019 Elections are just over a month away, and the expectations
of Nigerians as the dates draw near, is that we continue to serve as the
representatives they voted for. In our work in this chamber, we are
expected to rise about the partisan paradigm. We should address our
minds to, and always channel our efforts to how we can move our country
forward. Nigerians want to see leaders who will not succumb to the
partisan instinct in lawmaking. They want to see leaders who will bring
new ideas to bear on the challenges confronting the country.
“Leaders should help reduce the tension in the polity by contributing
to an atmosphere of moderate and measured political conversations.
Expectations of the Executive are also palpable, particularly with
regard to the need to uphold the Constitution and its tenets, especially
as they guarantee the minimum basic requirement of Separation of
Powers; the unity of the country and the welfare of the citizens.
“On that note, I wish to lay emphasis on the role of the Judiciary in
promoting justice and bringing respect to the country. If the Judiciary
is violated or eroded or otherwise brought to ill repute, so do the
values attached to its role in a democracy. Everyone in the political
value chain should therefore do nothing that could raise tensions in the
country. Nigerians are looking up to leaders who will douse flames that
have the potential to threaten the peace and wellbeing of our country.
“I urge you, my distinguished colleagues, to bear all this in mind as
we move towards the end of this historic Senate. The integrity of the
constitution must be preserved at all times; and service to the people
in a unified country should be our ultimate goal in all that we do as
legislators.
“Looking ahead to the General Elections, I wish all contestants and
aspirants luck in the forthcoming elections, including those here among
us. I enjoin us all to bear in mind that it should be a contest of
ideas. We should eschew ad hominem approaches to political discourse,
and communicate our ideas in a civil manner.
“Everything must be done and every sacrifice must be made to ensure
free and fair 2019 Elections. INEC is encouraged to engage the parties
and be transparent in its decision making. It is important that the
people are assured of the Commission’s resolve and commitment to
credible elections.
“To all Nigerians, I say this: we must have a country after the
elections. We all still have to live among ourselves when the polls have
closed and the elections are over. The rhetoric leading up to the
elections must therefore be mindful of the need for moderation, decorum
and respect.
“To those of us who are contesting, let us remember that our biggest
offer is to serve. Ultimately, the Nigerian people have a right to
choose who will represent them at all levels. It is not a do or die
affair. I encourage all to participate in the coming polls and I wish
Nigerians a safe 2019 Election.
“Once again, I bid you all welcome back, as we resume plenary today. The work must go on, and I am confident that we are ready.
“I wish the entire members of the Senate, and all Nigerians, a healthy, safe and prosperous 2019.”
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