Lawan tasks politicians on patriotism

President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan has appealed to politicians in Nigeria to be patriotic to ensure development of the country.

Lawan made the appeal on Wednesday night in Abuja at a dinner organised by the Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Kalu to mark his 63rd birthday.

According to him, politicians must reach a consensus on critical issues irrespective of political affiliations, as Nigeria can only be better if political leaders decide to do what is right.

“So, politicians across board must learn to arrive, achieve and accept consensus on certain fundamental issues for the interest of the country.

“You can’t be president, governor, senator, House of Representatives members unless there is a country.

“Countries that are successful have achieved those kind of consensus whether you are in party ‘A’ or party ‘B’.

“At the end, what is important is how we are able to deliver good governance,’’ he said.

Lawan noted that the 9th National Assembly had recorded achievements impossible for previous assemblies.

He said that the National Assembly would strengthen its constructive engagement with the executive for the development of the country.

According to him, our submission on the relationship between us in the legislature and the executive is that we must work for Nigeria.

“We have a relationship that we all cherish and that is beneficial to the development of Nigeria.

While emphasising that members of the 9th Senate were motivated by their achievements, Lawan said “we have achieved so many feats that were impossible in the past.”

“I don’t want to count them but I know members of the 9th National Assembly, especially senators came with a sense of patriotism that we must achieve something good for all.

“We have done well but we have not done enough, we can do far much better but we are on the right channel because Nigeria needs a lot,” Lawan said.

Earlier, Kalu hailed Lawan’s leadership style, saying that he had set a reputable standard in the senate.

“He has brought a lot of reforms in the senate that makes the legislators to appreciate him.

“Dr Lawan has changed our calendar to be business-like by returning the budget cycle to run from January to December.

“It is a visible record achieved under his leadership, so we appreciate that,” Kalu said.