Lawan harps on collaboration in governance

Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari (left); Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, during the visit of members of the Progressive Governors Forum to the National Assembly on Monday, 7th October, 2019

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has said a partnership between State Governors and the National Assembly would redefine good governance in the interest of Nigerians.

Lawan stated this when members of the Progressive Governor's Forum comprising the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors met with the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives on Monday at the National Assembly in Abuja.

According to Lawan, bridging the gap in governance would in no small measure ensure the security, safety and welfare of citizens.

Lawan, in his welcome address moments before going into a closed meeting with the delegation, thanked members of the Forum, for their roles during the leadership contest in the National Assembly.

He said: “It is a fact and truism that our party, particularly our governors worked so hard to ensure that the leadership of the National Assembly emerged with little or no hitch in the 2019 leadership contest.

“We want to take this opportunity to thank you for that show of trust. We intend to remain very resolute and loyal to the party and the principles it stands for.

“We intend to remain committed and dedicated to Nigerian ideals of making sure that Nigeria provides all the necessary services, especially when it comes to the area of ensuring the security, safety and welfare of citizens.

According to Lawan, the emergence of the Senate and House leadership was the product of a bi-partisan combination between the majority and minority parties.

“The opposition parties, in the Senate particularly, the PDP and YPP have done so much to ensure that they give that kind of support.

“So far in the National Assembly, the journey has been very good; we have been working in a bi-partisan manner, and all those things that we felt were very necessary to be achieved in the national interest have been done across party lines.

Stressing the need for a partnership between the executive arm of government and the Legislature, Lawan assured the state governors of the willingness of the National Assembly to give its support on matters of National interest.

“I believe that this kind of partnership will continue. It is necessary that all levels of government work together. We have certain issues that we cannot do alone at the National level.

“I want to assure our governors here that you have partners in the National Assembly. We believe that we can do far better and more when we work together.

“I think there’s need for us to continue to have this type of interaction so that we are able to bridge the gap and continue to define and redefine the dynamics of how good governance can be sustained”, Lawan said. 

Earlier, the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, said the Forum has two sub committees; one on governance, and the other on legislative programmes.

He added that the Forum was satisfied with the way the leadership of both chambers have so far handled issues in the interest of the nation.

He said: “As part of the initiatives of legislative programmes, we are here to appreciate the leadership of the National Assembly and to express our pride in the way you led the two chambers of the National Assembly, by giving confidence to our nation and supporting the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The Progressive Governors Forum is desirous and cognizant of the need to work together.”

On the delegation of the Progressive Governors Forum are: Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, Kayode Fayemi; Governor Aminu Bello Masari, Katsina; Governor Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna; Governor Godwin Obaseki, Edo and Governor Abdularahman Abdulfatai, Kwara.

Others are: Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Kano; Governor Abubakar Bello, Niger; Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, Gombe; Governor Babagana Zulum, Borno; Governor Mai Mala Buni, Yobe and Deputy Governor Emmanuel Akabe, Nasarawa.