Date: 2015-07-31

The members of the National Assembly resumed from their four weeks recess on Tuesday amidst concerns that there won't be any end in sight to the leadership tussle ongoing before the break.

Speculations were rife in the media during the break that the aggrieved factions in the Assembly are leaving no stone unturned till their aims are achieved and this obviously raised concern by Nigerians who are eager for the lawmakers to start the proper business of legislating.

Contrary to some people's expectations however, happenings in the Senate on Tuesday morning once again buttressed the fact that things are not as bad as being blown by the media, and the legislatures are also aware of the fact that there are lots of work ahead, hence the need to be proactive.

For 81 Senators to deliver a vote of confidence on the leadership of Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki as the Senate President speaks a lot while also going a long way to pass a message to Nigerians that all is well in the hallowed chambers and that all stakeholders are poised to work together as regards delivering the much anticipated change to the country.

The development also compliments Senators Saraki's effort towards leading a more transparent senate where accountability will be the watchword. This has been earlier demonstrated in the messages the Senate President passed to the various partners that have paid him courtesy calls in addition to the two adhoc committees working despite the recess. The reports of the both the committees on legislative agenda and finance is being expected in the coming days.

The Senate President has demonstrated overtime that all his energy is focused on nothing but leading an eight assembly that will set a legacy through the promulgation of laws that will bring succor to the masses who trusted them with their massive votes.

Saraki did not allow himself to be overwhelmed with the vote of confidence as he unequivocally enunciated his determination to galvanise his colleagues to focus on pressing national assignment.

This was again emphasized in his welcome speech where he charged the lawmakers to work in unison regardless of party affiliations by fulfilling their promises to their various constituencies even as he urged them to show Nigerians that the senate is alive to its lawmaking, oversight, policymaking and representation duties.

He highlighted the various sectors ranging from Petroleum, power, economy to security with emphases on the new found spirit of the Boko Haram terrorist group where efforts needs to be redoubled in collaboration with President Muhammadu Buhari in order to achieve the desired success.

"Distinguished colleagues, our country is passing through a difficult time. We cannot afford to watch the mindboggling leakages in our oil receipt to go on, this Senate is in tandem with Mr. President on this and is determined to turn every stone and shift every rock to ensure that all revenues due to the country from oil are recovered. We are not the only oil producing country in the world; oil theft cannot therefore become an acceptable part of our oil business.

"Furthermore, Nigerians are tired of the inadequacies in the power sector and want to see a reinvigorated power sector capable of delivering enough energy to power the new Nigerian economy. Our people dream to see a more open economy, they want to see legislative instruments that will help to open and stimulate private sector investment in infrastructure development, and enhance the ease of doing business in the country.

"Distinguished colleagues, in recent times, we have seen resurgence in the activities of Boko Haram and some other criminal elements in our society leading to the death of many of our citizens. We cannot continue to let senseless groups cause untimely death to our citizens without hindrance. This is another sad addition to the cocktail of security challenges we can ill-afford at this time. In the coming days, I will constitute a high powered Senate delegation to visit our troops on the battle line and some of our internally displaced persons in the North East to have a firsthand appreciation of the challenges, the suffering and plight that has befallen our people in the area. Soon afterwards we shall, working together with the House, develop concrete steps towards the rehabilitation and renewal of the battered local economy of the North East.

"Make no mistake about it, the aim of these militant groups is simple, to test our resolve and disintegrate our unity. But let me reiterate the readiness and willingness of the National Assembly to support and work with President Muhammadu Buhari to comprehensively rout Boko Haram. We join Mr. President in saying "that we will defeat terrorism in our country and region, because we have the will to win this fight." Our resolve is collective, we urge all friends of Nigeria including the United States and the entire international community to join us.

"Distinguished colleagues, we have our work cut out for us, we cannot afford to frolic. Nigerians did not give us our mandate to come and pursue leadership, their mandate was for us to pursue governance and bring solutions to their burning issues. It is time we remind ourselves of the solemn promise to deliver to our people real change. Leadership is secondary to our primary responsibility of good governance. As Senate President you have given me responsibility to ensure that our primary responsibility is placed on the table not under the table. Nigerians did not put their lives on the line for politics but for the delivery of good governance. My distinguished colleagues, the Job of changing our corporate destiny starts today. Though the challenges are huge, they are not insurmountable. Let this challenges inspire us as leaders to show courage, statesmanship and valour. We have taken the right first steps out; we must now set out at dawn. We do not have all the time indeed our clock is ticking. It is time, let's get started and deliver meaningful change to our people". Saraki said while welcoming his colleagues on Tuesday.

This has again pass a statement that this country is obviously blessed to have a new administration led by President Buhari and a legislative arm chaired by Saraki ready to set a bar in legislating putting behind them all that has transpired in the past few one month and look towards building a brighter rewarding future for present and coming generations.

To this end, everyone must join hands in the dream shared by these leaders; those fuelling rumours of disunity in the National Assembly should desist and channel energy towards suggesting ways the situation of things can improve in the country now that the actual business of governance has commenced.