On Thursday in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu charged lawmakers with putting the nation first and ignoring party politics in the fulfillment of their duties.
He also urged legislators to work together to select “good leaders” for the 10th National Assembly.
Tinubu said this when he met a joint session of the national assembly comprising senators and members of the House of Representatives across all parties, at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
The meeting is one of several engagements between the President and lawmakers even as the 10th NASS gets inaugurated on June 13.
Member-elect for the Ningi/Warji Federal Constituency in Bauchi State, Adamu Ranga, told our correspondent that although the President did not voice support for any of the candidates vying for the senate or HoR leadership, he called for a united front.
Ranga said, “Mr President spoke to the general assembly both the Senate and the House of Representatives in order to ensure that we have a solid government. Second, he emphasised that he will perform an open-door policy for everybody.
“Whoever wants to see him can see him without any hindrance. And whatever you want to discuss with him, he will give you that privilege to discuss.
“Thirdly, he said we should put our constituency first since we are here to represent them. He mentioned that he wants the Senate and the House to cooperate to elect good leaders.”
On his part, member-elect for Enugu East/Isiuzo Federal Constituency, Prof Paul Nnamchi, told The PUNCH that Tinubu appealed to lawmakers to uphold national interests.
“He appealed that we should forget about party politics and face national interest. That was the major part of his speech.
“He didn’t mention anybody’s name to be voted for. Maybe he is appealing, but I didn’t hear anybody’s name,” Nnamchi said.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Ahmed Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, were present at the meeting.
Also amongst the attendees were the former Governor of Akwa Ibom and front-runner in the Senate Presidency race, Godswill Akpabio, former governors of Ebonyi, Dave Umahi and Edo, Adams Oshiomhole.
Others are Osita Izunaso, Sani Bello, Aliyu Wammako, amongst others. Speakership contender, Tajudeen Abbas was also present.
However, former Zamfara State Governor, Abdul’Aziz Yari and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase, were not spotted in the meeting.