ABUJA – Newly elected President of Senate of the Federal Republic, Sen. Bukola Saraki, has affirmed independence of the legislative arm and promised pursuing the virtues of positive changes that will reposition Nigeria on the path of prosperity.
He also hailed President Mohammadu Buhari for deepening democracy by not interfering in the choice of leadership of the National Assembly.
In his inaugural speech to herald the 8th Senate shortly after his election yesterday, Senate President Saraki declared: “It will be my responsibility to protect the independence of the legislature in the overall   interest of our democracy”
He however cautioned that “our quest for autonomy must not lead us into pursuing adverse relations with other arms of government” and “saluted President Buhari for remaining steadfast in his defense of the right of the National Assembly to choose its own leaders which had laid a solid foundation for the stability of the 8th National Assembly”.
In a veiled reference to agenda for the future, the new SP pointed out to his fellow senators that “we are entering at a time when a lot is being expected of us”, stressing, “Nigerians expect that the new senate must make laws that will reform the oil sector, the security systems, diversify our economy, create jobs and make doing business in Nigeria more competitive”.
“In the coming days”, he continued, “we shall be converging to hammer out an agenda that will help us focus and deliver on the minimum expectations” and sought support and cooperation of the senators, adding, “I offer myself to be fair to all and ensure the unity of this chamber; I have inherited from my predecessor a great landmark”.
“I am most honoured and privileged to be elected to serve as President of the Senate, I accept with humility and respect the honour you have conferred upon me today.
I want to thank all members of the national Assembly for your maturity and patriotism in the exercise we had just concluded in electing the leadership of the 8th Senate.
We have today demonstrated that even though we may belong to different parties, we are ultimately united by our common desire to entrench democracy and allow its principle guide our conducts.
The change that our people voted for is a change from a life of poverty, misery to a life of prosperity, happiness, security and comfort, accountability and respect for democracy.
This is a change that all of us in the National Assembly must strive to justify, Nigerian want to see a proactive National Assembly.
As the President of the 8th Senate, I shall be guided by the enormity of the responsibilities that this moment imposes on all of us, I shall strive to be just, equitable and fair to all”, he continued.
Moreso, Sen. Saraki acknowledged what he described as uncommon leadership the former Senate President David Mark has provided the Senate in the last eight years – 6th and 7th Senate – which according to him, has led to stability of the red chamber.
“May the future generation of citizens look upon the 8th National Assembly as a true assembly of our people’s representatives who did their best in the service of our nation.
I congratulate ourselves for this great day and the beginning of a new chapter in th history of our great Nation”, he added.
The Senate thereafter adjourned to Wednesday.

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