Ekiti State governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr Kayode Fayemi, has congratulated Senator Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila for their election as Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker.
The governor described the election as a positive signal for the consolidation of democratic governance.
In a statement yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olayinka Oyebode, the governor Lawan and Gbajabiamila as distinguished, seasoned and highly focused lawmakers with remarkable patriotic zeal and track records.
He urged them to put the nation’s interest first in all their activities so that the people can get maximum benefits derivable from democracy.
Fayemi said the duo have a good understanding of the role of legislature to ensure national growth and development, adding that they would deploy their rich experiences so that the nation can have a robust National Assembly that works with and for the overall interest of the people.
“A big congratulation to the new Senate President Ahmed Lawan and Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila; big congratulations to members of the ninth Assembly and other principal officers of the two Houses.
“This is indeed a good beginning and I am convinced that the rich legislative experience and patriotic zeal of the new leaders would help to reposition the National Assembly to achieve more dividends of democracy for the people.
“Senate President Lawan and Speaker Gbajabiamila have paid their dues in their respective callings and in the National Assembly where they have earned the respect and admiration of majority of members as well as Nigerians as very distinguished and patriotic citizens who can be trusted with leadership at that high level.
“Neither a rubber stamp legislature nor a cantankerous one is good for our development as a nation.
“I have no doubt in the ability of the new leadership to strike the right balance, by putting the country and the people first so that the peace, progress and prosperity that Nigerians want can be achieved,” he added.