Contrary to the widely held view that the Ninth Senate under Senator Ahmed Lawan would be a rubber-stamp Parliament, the Senate Leader on Friday declared that he would not be a rubber-stamp Senate President if he emerges.
He said even though he is being sponsored by his party, the All Progressives Congress, he would not be an appendage of the executive when he becomes the next Senate President.
Igbere TV reports that Lawan, a top contender for the Senate President position, made the declaration in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
This is coming ahead of Tuesday, June 11 inauguration of the Ninth Assembly and constitution of the House leadership.
Speaking at the unveiling of his his 20-page agenda entitled, “A National Assembly that Works for Nigeria: Proposed Legislative Agenda for the 9th Senate”, the lawmaker assured Nigerians of predictable budget cycle through collaboration with the executive.
He, however, assured that the 9th Senate under him would disagree with the executive anytime, “but with respect.”
Our correspondent at the event reports that 41 Senators graced the occasion. While 35 were APC Senators, 6 others were members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP lawmakers in attendance were Mathew Urhoghide (Edo) and Clifford Odia also from Edo State.
Others were Abba Moro (Benue), Gershom Bassey (Cross River) Lawali Anka (Zamfara) and Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta).
