​#OpenNASS: Saraki; A Man of His Words By Tunde Babamale

By Tunde Babamale
On the 9th of June 2015, the 8th National Assembly was inaugurated and Senator Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki representing Kwara Central Senatorial District emerged as the new President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria with an overwhelming support of his colleagues.

It’s uncommon and unlikely that politicians are known for keeping their promises but the current Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has shown beyond doubt that he means whatever comes out of his mouth. 

For the past 18 years of the rebirth of democracy in Nigeria, there has been agitation by Nigerian people for the National Assembly to make public their budget which has always been in secrecy.

The emergence of Dr. Saraki breathed hope of relief from the usual statement of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Sarak that, “it’s no longer business as usual”. He assured the people of making the National Assembly budget open to all Nigerians. 

During his inauguration speech on the 9th of June. He said in his and his quote, “Nigerians want to see a proactive National Assembly that will devote itself to rigorous thinking, rolling up sleeves to forge a new and prosperous Nigeria”.

The release of the Senate budget shows how committed, dedicated, transparent and accountable the current legislators of the 8th National Assembly led by their chairman, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki are. 

Let me join other millions of Nigerians to applaud the Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, and others numbers of the 8th National Assembly for another promise kept. Indeed, your words could be taken to bank. 

I equally commend the leadership role of President Muhammadu Buhari for given the National Assembly free hands to elect their leaders without any interference which has since streghtened the legislative institution and since yielding positive results.