Abuja-Senate President Bukola Saraki said his focus since assuming office as the presiding officer is to build an effective and efficient legislature that directly impacts on the lives of all Nigerians.
Saraki said this through a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu yesterday.
He emphasized that the role of the legislature in a young democracy like Nigeria is often misconstrued, hence, it is necessary for the National Assembly to work towards positively influencing the lives of all Nigerians through its powers of lawmaking, oversight and advocacy.
“The President of the Senate is just first amongst equals. However, what always motivates me is that drive to leave this institution better than we met it. I always like to leave a place stronger than I met it, and more capable to deliver on its constitutional role and functions than how it was before I got there.
“The difference between democracy and dictatorship is parliament. This is why I tell people that it is not about who the Senate President, the President, or the Chief Justice of Nigeria is, we must always work to strengthen all our institutions.
“For example, in four years, I’m gone. Somebody else will be there, but the institution will always remain. If you have weak parliament that is not effectively able to champion the needs of the people, you will have a weak democracy,” Saraki said.
Daily Trust
