Date: 2016-12-19

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday congratulated Senate President Bukola Saraki on his 54th birthday.

The president's goodwill message was contained in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.

Buhari described the Senate president as "one of the most influential politicians of our time who has made tremendous impact on the country."

President Buhari noted that Saraki had successfully kept the memory of his late father alive by identifying with the grassroots in his home state.

Wishing Saraki many more prosperous years ahead, Buhari called for closer cooperation between the executive and the legislature to ensure the smooth implementation of government policies and programmes.

He stated that despite the principle of separation of powers, both arms of government should be united in the promotion of the common good of the people.

According to him, whatever differences that may occasionally arise between the two branches of government should not be allowed to compromise their common goals of promoting the greater progress and development of Nigeria.