By Joshua Egbodo and Ezrel Tabiowo, Abuja
Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) has urged members-elect of the expected eighth National Assembly to cooperate with him as he assumes office, in order for his government to surmount the imminent daunting challenges.
The president-elect, who was yesterday addressing the legislators-elect at the ongoing induction programme organised for them at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, also tasked them on the need for effective oversight for the coming regime to achieve its set goals, as he indicated his readiness to work with the legislature towards finding solutions to the many challenges facing the nation.
He said: “I am glad to have been given the privilege of addressing incoming members at this induction programme and I congratulate all of you elected members for being found worthy of election by your constituents.
“The nation stands on a threshold of history, having passed through a peaceful election despite predictions of calamitous polls.
“I am here to ask for your unconditional support and cooperation as we chart a new course for our great country and rid it of myriads of challenges, an achievement of which will be impossible without your support.
“There’s an urgent need to curtail current challenges that border on addressing challenges of power failure, critical infrastructure, insecurity, poverty, corruption, environmental degradation in the Niger Delta region, amongst others, as together we can make this country great.
“The legislature is a critical component and necessary ingredient of democracy and good governance. The legislature by nature is inherently democratic in the sense that all members are equal and are elected representatives of the Nigerian people. As president-elect, I recognise this fact and believe that legislators carry this heavy burden of representation with all the seriousness it deserves.
“For a president to be successful in addressing community development and general welfare of the various people of the country, he or she would benefit from working closely and in harmony with the legislative arm of government.
I therefore commit myself to working with the legislature as development partners motivated by the desire to deliver good governance.
“Therefore, my mission to bring integrity into governance would better succeed if complemented with a strong culture of transparent oversight.”
On the outcome of the general elections, the President-elect said: “I commend the role played by President Goodluck Jonathan for accepting the outcome of the elections even before the results were announced. I also commend the INEC and the doggedness of Nigerians for their resilience in the face of intimidation and danger.”
Earlier, in his remarks, Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Sen. David Mark, commended
Buhari for making history as the “first President-elect to address a semi-joint session of the National Assembly where both presiding officers are present. Today is a historic day in Nigerian democracy as it is the first time a President-elect is addressing almost a joint session of the National Assembly; the difference is that there is no Mace and the venue is also different.”
Also while delivering the vote of thanks, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, commended the President-elect for making out time to address incoming lawmakers, assuring him of their unconditional support as he prepares to steer the affairs the nation.
“I must commend you for choosing to come yourself to meet with members-elect to address them as your partners in progress by the grace of God,” he said.
