The federal government has sought collaboration with leadership of the 10th National Assembly to tackle the myriad economic, social and political challenges facing Nigeria.
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima made call on Friday in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, during a 2-day retreat for the leadership of the 10th national Assembly organised by National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies in collaboration with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftunh. He said that governance is a collective responsibility and not a personal endeavour; therefore, it was imperative to avoid the path of division. He said, “All the Chiefs of Staff and Deputy Chiefs of Staff to the President are all proud alumni members.
The First Lady of the Federation and the Secretary to the Federation are all members of my allumni. “Certainly what this means is that we cannot afford to go to war, not because we are going to overlook each other’s transgressions but because we are going to engage with those who know the gravity of their work and will never take you for granted.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reassured us with a heart of certainty that we are not in government to go to war with the National Assembly, we are here to collaborate and match towards shared prosperity.”
In his remarks, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, underscored the importance of collaboration, stressing that Nigeria cannot move forward unless the various stakeholders and groups see the need for effective collaboration in the country. He said it’s an error to blame the All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party, or any other party for Nigeria’s problem, adding that the country face a collective action problem because relevant groups and stakeholders have failed to collaborate
According to him “My friends and colleagues, let us not make the mistake of thinking that our problem is APC or PDP or LP or SDP or any other party. That is an error.
“We can lead the charge in our country. Let us be united in purpose. It does not matter which political party you used to get to the Red or Green Chamber; right now we are in the Nigerian boat. If we all put our hands on deck, the Tenth Assembly shall surmount every challenge.”
Ada Peter