President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday asked Nigerians harbouring misgivings on any legislation to engage the process in line with democratic practices.
He made the call in Abuja while declaring open a two-day Joint Executive-Legislative Leadership Retreat held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
The reintroduction of the National Water Resources Bill 2020 in the National Assembly is currently generating mixed reactions from different parts of the country.
Also, the recently signed Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 (CAMA) has attracted criticisms from some Nigerians, especially the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).
Speaking at the retreat, Buhari charged the populace to be patient with government and advised that whenever there’s any legislation they have misgivings about, “they should engage the process for such laws in line with democratic processes.”
“Let me also remind our fellow patriots, countrymen and women, that the process of law-making and governance are dynamic and ever evolving. I will seek their indulgence to be patient with any legislation or law which they have certain misgivings about, and engage the process for reviewing such laws in line with democratic practices.
“Our interest is sincere promotion of our collective will and aspiration to build a nation where justice, peace and progress are the norm,” Buhari said.
The president, who told the lawmakers that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had already streamlined its priorities to nine areas of development, and that ministers had been mandated to align their targets with the bigger picture of making life better for all Nigerians, urged the legislature to align its priorities as well.
Our relationship with executive is misunderstood – Lawan
Also speaking, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, said the decision of the National Assembly to work with the executive harmoniously for the benefit of Nigerians was misunderstood.
He said: “This is the second time we will be discussing the relationship between the legislature and the executive. The first was at the ministerial retreat where we had the opportunity to contribute.
“The next 48 hours to be devoted to discussing the relationship between both arms of government, this is a sign that the relationship particularly between the executive and legislature is of utmost concern to us in government.
“This National Assembly decides quite early to work with the executive very harmoniously for the benefit of Nigerians. I am glad that Mr President you have expressed similar commitment.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, while speaking, said both arms needed to work symbiotically to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.
“The executive being part of this is a testament to your commitment to nation building. This two-day engagement will do nothing but to strengthen the relationship between these two critical arms of government but enhance it so that the people will be the better for it.
“I believe it will be frank, truthful. We will speak truth to each other and I believe the outcome will be to the benefit of all Nigerians,” Gbajabiamila said.
