Nigeria’s new Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has vowed to uphold the independence of the National Assembly.
He said in his acceptance speech after he was elected unopposed by his colleagues in the upper chamber of the national assembly on Tuesday.
“I am most honoured and privileged to be elected to serve as President of the Senate. I accept with humility and respect the honour you have conferred upon me today,” Saraki said.
“We have today demonstrated that even though we may belong to different parties, we are ultimately united by our common desire to entrench democracy and allow its principle guide our conducts.
“The change that our people voted for is a change from a life of poverty, misery to a life of prosperity, happiness, security and comfort, accountability and respect for democracy.
“This is a change that all of us in the National Assembly must strive to justify. Nigerians want to see a proactive National Assembly.”
According to Saraki, it was now his yoke to protect the autonomy of the legislature in the overall interest of democracy and noted that the quest for independence should not lead people into pursuing adverse relations with other arms of government.
Showering accolades on President Buhari, Saraki thanked the President for his decision to allow members of the Assembly pick their own leaders.
“My dear distinguished colleagues, we are entering at a time when a lot is being expected of us.
“Nigerians expect that the new senate must make laws that will reform the oil sector, the security systems, diversify our economy, create jobs and make doing business in Nigeria more competitive.
“In the coming days, we shall be converging to hammer out an agenda that will help us focus and deliver on the minimum expectations,” he said.
“I have inherited from my predecessor a great landmark. May the future generation of citizens look upon the 8th National Assembly as a true assembly of our people’s representatives who did their best in the service of our nation.
“I congratulate ourselves for this great day and the beginning of a new chapter in the history of our great Nation.”
Shortly after the speech, the senate adjourned to Wednesday.
