Newly elevated Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan (APC, Yobe North), on Thursday, called on his colleagues to support him in his new capacity to deliver on the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
This is even as he maintained that his choice as the Senate Leader was the decision of his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Lawan added that he had no choice, but to accept the position since it was the party’s position.
Lawan, who made the call at Thursday’s plenary, urged his colleagues to work in a very bi-partisan manner for the interest of all Nigerians.
“Nigeria is our country, it doesn’t belong to APC. It belongs to Nigerians.
“That is the position that the leader of the party in the country, the President insisted that party supremacy must be upheld at all times,” Lawan said.
He implored his colleagues to make life better for Nigerians by improving on security and ensuring economic growth.
“We should put our hands together and ensure stability in the country. I urge the cooperation and understanding of my colleagues.
“The 8th Senate started on a shaky foundation. This Senate will end on a solid, stable and successful foundation,” Lawan said.
He commended his colleagues for giving him the opportunity to serve in that capacity.
“I thank the APC (Senate) caucus for having confidence and trust in my judgement and ability to serve as leader of the senate.
“I ask the opposition, that what the APC caucus has done is for all of us. I am not a leader for the APC caucus, I am a leader of the Senate.
“It is the will of God. And we, as religious people, believe in destiny.
“We have accepted our fate, and we have accepted to work for the betterment of Nigerians,” he added.
Reacting, Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio (PDP, Akwa-Ibom), said that the PDP Senate caucus is of the view that with the elevation of Lawan’s elevation will bring back peace in the Senate.
“All the grumblings and disaffections affecting the 8th Senate would be brought to an end.
“We are delighted. We want to note that in spite of the situations of this and that, the senate is focused on national issues.
“We are implementing issues on bi-partisan basis. We will continue to remain bi-partisan where the interests of Nigerians are concerned.
“We will support the Senate, the APC caucus and President Muhammadu Buhari on things we believe will take Nigerians out of recession,” he said.
Akpabio, however, urged the newly promoted Senate Leader to carry all lawmakers along in the discharge of his duties.
In his remark, Senate President, Senator Abubaka Bukola Saraki, assured Lawan of his colleagues’ support.
Saraki also commended the former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, for his services to the Senate as an institution and for his statesmanship in accepting his fate.