President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday held that the relationship between the Executive arm of the government and the outgoing 8th National Assembly had not been the best saying the country deserved better.
The president made the statement when he hosted the leadership of the National Assembly led by Senate President Bukola Saraki to breaking of fast at the State House in Abuja.
He expressed the hope for a better working relationship between the Executive and the ninth National Assembly for the benefit of all Nigerians.
While congratulating the members-elect on their successes at the polls, Buhari reminded them their successes came with “a great burden and a great responsibility” as their people were expecting much from them.
The President posited that the major responsibility of the National Assembly was to cooperate with the Executive so that working together the two arms would come up with polices to lift the poor masses out of their poverty.
His words: “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 ninth Assembly so that we can serve the people better.
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“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.
“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.”
The President assured he was available to all who had genuine concerns or advice that would improve the quality of governance and service delivery to the people.
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki assured that the National Assembly would at all time be focused on national interest.
Also present at the breaking of fast were the Deputy Senate President, Speaker House of Reps, Deputy Speaker, the majority and Minority leaders as well as the majority and Minority Whips and their deputies.
