Being Former Member, N’Assembly Will Support You, Akpabio Assures Tinubu

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja 

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has assured President Bola Tinubu of the 10th National Assembly’s active collaboration with his government being a former member of the apex legislative institution.

Akpabio gave the assurance when the president presented the 2024 Budget of Renewed Hope to the joint session of the National Assembly.

He hailed the historic epoch of Tinubu’s former membership of the legislature as further fodder for collaboration towards the common good of the nation.

Welcoming the president on behalf of the National Assembly members, Akpabio posited the ascendence of a sizeable representation of the legislative branch as led by the president himself in the delegation from the executive branch of government. 

Among those he named were Vice-President (Senator) Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume and former speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who is now Chief of Staff to the President.

Akpabio said that the compass of the National Assembly alumni in the top rank of the executive was another reason for the smooth collaboration between the two branches of government.

In that direction, the Senate President also urged Tinubu to guide his ministers on being punctual for the budget defence to ensure expedited passage of the budget proposals.

He said: “It is said that no matter how high the eagle flies, its talons keep pointing to the earth. Your Excellency, we know that no matter how high you rise, your heart will always point to this Assembly. Mr President, the United States has been a democracy for 247 years.

“It was only when it marked its 185th Anniversary that it succeeded in producing two former senators (J F Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson) as President and Vice-President respectively. 

“However, within 24 years of our democracy, we have achieved what took USA 185 years to achieve. 

“Not only do we have two former distinguished senators serving as the president and vice-president of our dear country; we also have other alumni of this Assembly in positions of public trust.

“We have the Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, and other senators in the cabinet.”

That landmark he said would consolidate the relationship between the two arms of government.

According to him, “Mr. President, distinguished and honorable members, maintaining a cordial relationship with the the Executive Arm has always been a requirement of the law, but now, given that our old boys now run the Executive, a good relationship with the executive is a must. 

“Never have we had so many bridges and connection points between these two arms of government.

“So we will continue to walk hand in hand and see eye to eye with the Executive Arm, while ensuring that the principles of separation of powers, as well as checks and balances as enshrined in our constitution are observed in the overriding public interest.”

Akpabio also used the opportunity to encourage the president on his reform programmes.

He noted his efforts in economic reform including the removal of fuel subsidy and the reforms in the security sector that has led to enhancement of the security of the nation.