Buhari urges lawmakers to support his administration

The president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, has sought the support of members of the National Assembly as he seeks to run what he described as a government of integrity.

Speaking at an induction retreat for new and returning lawmakers in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr. Buhari said for his government to achieve its plans and programmes for the country, some of the appropriate policies he plans to put in place may have to be translated into laws.

The president-elect also said the oversight functions of the legislature are critical in ensuring that policies are implemented effectively and transparently.

“My mission to bring integrity into governance would better succeed if complemented with a strong culture of transparent oversight,” Mr. Buhari said.

Mr. Buhari said the executive arm of government that he leads would need to collaborate with the National Assembly on the budget process and restructuring of the public sector to collectively tackle the menace of high recurrent cost at the expense of capital and human development.

He added there is presently an urgent need to contain the high level of insecurity in Nigeria, and that as representatives of various communities, the lawmakers needed to work with him to address the problem from its roots and manifestations.

In that regard, Mr. Buhari said the strongest mitigating forces are to address “the power sector deficits, encourage investments that are job creating and focus on human development and reconstruction”.

“We also need to deploy efforts in conflict resolution and peace building in all our communities,” he said.

“I am here today, to invite you to work with the executive as partners in progress, as champions of good governance and development and as warriors for change,” he said.