By Nasir Kura
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the newly elected presiding officers of the Ninth National Assembly.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the president commended the national legislators and their political parties for their display of patriotism and non-partisanship before and during the election.
He also commended the transparent and fair nature of the voting process, saying it was a plus for the democracy in the country.
The president described the emergence of the new leaders of the legislative branch of government as “a new dawn, different from duplicity and perfidy of the immediate past.”
He called on the winners to use their exalted positions for the higher interest of the country and its people, and for the growth of democracy.
“The Executive does not desire a rubber stamp Legislature. While separation of powers is essential, collaboration among all Arms of Government should be the name of the game.
Opposition need not be virulent.
“Stepping into the Next Level, the legislature has a big role to play for the goals of the administration to be achieved. This is for the ultimate good of the nation,” he said.
The president urged the contestants who lost out to be gallant in defeat, and join hands with the victors who should exhibit magnanimity and eschew vindictiveness.
“At the end of the day, we, the people, who elected our representatives at the national level, are the winners,” he said.
