Nigeria Needs Strong Assembly For Inclusive Democracy – Sen Saraki Warns .Bags Exemplary Leadership Award Alongside 4 Others

(R – Senate President Dr Saraki receiving award plaque from Sen Shehu Sani while Mordecai Ibrahim watches in Abuja on Tuesday)

NIGERIA –

The President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday, May 14 told Nigerians the need for strong national assembly before credible democracy can take its right course in the land.

To him, Nigerians will enjoy true dividends of democracy when the parliament are allowed to make laws and provide quality leadership in the interests of generality of the citizens and not individuals sentiments.

Leadership and members of Arewa Online Publishers have conferred on the Senate President, Senators Shehu Sani, Kabiru Marafa, Magnus Abe and Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, with an award of exemplary leadership having passed into law highest number of bills since 1999.

Saraki, who felt fulfilled even though, he lost his senatorial election in the recently concluded election was optimistic that, the country would move forward – if there is right parliament and sustainable democracy.

“As long as our Parliament is strong Nigeria will be stronger.

“I think it is important that we lay a solid foundation to strenghten our democracy and that is what we have done in the 8th senate.”

Though the senate president commended the media for upholdoing democracy, he urged practicing journalists to do more as custodian of check and balance.

“The Nigerian media is doing well, but, you have responsibility to ensure that individual interest gives room for collective interest for a better Nigeria for all,” he tasked.

The number three citizen however, thanked the group for the award, stressing that he was happy that the media was able to appreciate what the 8th National Assembly stood for.

He said, “his recognition by Arewa Online Publishers will spur us to do more for Nigeria individually and collectively.”