Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has urged Senator Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila to work closely with the executive arm of government following their victories as president of the Senate and speaker of the House of Representatives respectively.
The advice is contained in a congratulatory message made available to the media on Tuesday evening by the governor’s spokesman, Gboyega Akosile.
Hon. @femigbaja, our new handshake style should be the official one for the 9th @nassnigeria.
Congratulations to my friend @femigbaja, the Honourable member representing Surulere 1 Federal constituency, Lagos on his election as the new speaker of the @HouseNGR. #NASSElection pic.twitter.com/mEPYM95V6i
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) June 11, 2019
Governor Sanwo-Olu described Lawan’s and Gbajabiamila’s victories as results of focus, hard work, resilience and team spirit, saying that the keenly contested elections in both chambers of the National Assembly are a clear indication of deepening democratic culture in Nigeria.
According to him, “we should not lose sight of the fact that the elections into the leadership positions of the upper and lower legislative chambers of the National Assembly are a clear manifestation that Nigeria’s democracy is growing in leaps and bounds.
“Recall that in the past, such elections were either not as transparent as what we witnessed today or emergence of the leaders were remotely controlled from outside the hallowed chambers. But today, the National Assembly members participated and chose their leaders in the full glare of millions of Nigerians. This must be commended,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor, who watched proceedings of the two chambers live at the National Assembly complex, advised the newly elected principal officers to see their new positions as a heavy responsibility because according to him, “leadership itself is responsibility.”
He urged Lawan and Gbajabiamila to work closely with President Muhammadu Buhari for speedy and efficient service delivery to Nigerians.
“Nigerians are looking up to the ruling class, regardless of who is at the top or what political parties we represent. The average Nigerian is interested in the quick passage of the Appropriation bill and other bills that will have direct positive impact on his life,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
