The Leader of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has begun his campaign for the post of the Senate President in the 9th National Assembly.
He promised to carry all members of the legislative house along in the discharge of his duties as leader if elected.
According to him, carrying everyone along was the secret of legislative chambers to delivering meaningfully on their mandate.
Lawan who spoke during a press briefing in Abuja said he would ensure that the activities of the legislature were carried out with the interest of the people of the country at heart.
“When we legislate, we legislate for the entire country and therefore we need to remain united and focused.
“I was in a position for 16 years from 1999 to 2015 before I became part of the ruling party; I am glad, I thank God for that.
“But even as an opposition, we knew where we opposed the government and where we cooperated with them,’’ he said.
He said further: “For instance, will there be any legislator who will oppose any legislation that will enhance the performance of our armed forces or the Police to provide security?
“No! Whether you are All Progressives Congress (APC) or People Democratic Party or Young Progressive Party, we have the same people to serve.
“So, we will work to ensure that we achieve and attain that desired unity within the chamber. There will be equity and fairness in our affairs.
“I am sure that once we are able to unite around national interests we will contribute meaningfully to governance.’’
He said he believed in separation of powers, but argued that it did not mean independence of government.
He said it meant the specialisation of the arms of government.
“The executive cannot function without the legislature and the legislature needs to work with the executive in a cordial manner.
“However, that does not take away that special function of oversight. It does not take away ensuring that what we do in the legislature is to support the executive.
“Who says we will never disagree with the executive; by constitutional design, we are meant to disagree, hold different perspectives from time to time on issues.
“But when we disagree, I always say, we should sit down and look at issues and take a decision that is in national interest, ” he stressed.
Lawan was highly favoured by a section of the leadership of the APC for the post of Senate President in the 8th Assembly but lost to Bukola Saraki in the politics involved.
