Senate President Accepts Rubber Stamp Label If ‘Work with Executive Makes Nigeria Better’

Nigeria’s Senate President Ahmed Lawan has said the National Assembly would accept the “rubber stamp” label if it would guarantee good governance for Nigerians.

Lawan stated this Monday at the two-day Joint Executive-legislative Retreat with the theme: “Promoting Effective, Legislative Partnership and Finding a Middle Ground,” held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Senate President stressed that the National Assembly decided quite early to work with the executive very harmoniously for the benefits of Nigerians.

He stated: “In fact, this relationship is misunderstood by many. Some out of mischief describe the National Assembly as a rubber stamp, some out of misunderstanding. For us, what is utmost in our minds in the ninth assembly is how we work with the executive to make Nigeria better.

“If the price to pay is the names that we get, then let it be the price, because we believe that Nigerians deserve better service, better Infrastructure development in the country and it is difficult, if not impossible, in this country or indeed in any democracy, without understanding and harmony in the way and manner the two arms of government work,” Lawan said.

Lawan added that the retreat will present opportunities to review and strengthen areas they have achieved so much and address areas where there have been weaknesses.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari urged the leadership of the National Assembly to be patient with any legislation or law which they have certain misgivings about and engage the process in line with democratic practices.

The President’s assertion may not be unconnected with the withdrawal of the controversial National Water Bill in the House of Representatives last week.

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