Bukola Saraki tells Senators to face legislative duties

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, has enjoined his fellow lawmakers to put bickering for leadership positions behind them and face legislative duties squarely.

In his welcome address at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, Saraki reminded the senators that the main reason why Nigerians elected them was to deliver on their mandate and not to struggle for positions on the floor.

Acknowledging the enormity of the hydra-headed challenges facing the country, Saraki charged his colleagues on the urgent need to address these challenges.

According to him, the corporate destiny of the people had been adversely altered and needed urgent solutions, which he said, were within reach.

Saraki said, “Distinguished colleagues, we have our work cut out for us, we cannot afford to frolic. Nigerians did not give us our mandate to come and pursue leadership, their mandate was for us to pursue governance and bring solutions to their burning issues."

“It is time we remind ourselves of the solemn promise to deliver to our people real change. Leadership is secondary to our primary responsibility of good governance."

“As Senate President, you have given me responsibility to ensure that our primary responsibility is placed on the table not under the table. Nigerians did not put their lives on the line for politics but for the delivery of good governance."

“My distinguished colleagues, the Job of changing our corporate destiny starts today. Though the challenges are huge, they are not insurmountable."

“Let these challenges inspire us as leaders to show courage, statesmanship and valour. We have taken the right first steps out, we must now set out at dawn. We do not have all the time, indeed our clock is ticking."

“Distinguished colleagues, it is time, let’s get started and deliver meaningful change to our people.”