Despite the endorsement of Ahmad Lawan for the position of Senate President for the Ninth Assembly by the All Progressives Congress (APC), the immediate past Senate Leader, Ali Ndume has refused to back out from the race.
On Tuesday, Ndume personally distributed pamphlets to journalists containing his legislative agenda.
Ndume in the 9-point agenda promised to improve on the performance of the 8th Senate by making the Office of the Senate President less attractive through reduction of unnecessary privileges attached to the office.
The lawmaker promised to uphold the Independence of the Legislative arm of government just as he hoped to “work harmoniously and inter-dependently with the Executive without undermining the principle of Separation of Power”.
Ndume said he will prioritise and ensure the passage of the Constituency Development Bill to make “Constituency projects more transparent, accountable, efficient and effective”.
In cooperation with other senators-elect, he said the Senate will agree on timeline for confirmation, passage of bills especially the annual budgets which he said will not exceed 90 days from the day of submission.
Other issues on his agenda for the plum job include: “to make laws that will block leakages devise improved means of generating revenue, especially through the amendment and review of our tax laws which will help to reduce reliance on local and foreign loans to finance budget.
“To run the 9th Senate transparency, through open accountability with full participation of all Senators .For example, we will transfer the approving powers of the privileges of the senators like foreign travels, allowances to Senate services committee or a new committee to be known as ” ways and means committee”.
To uphold the party’s principles and policies, he said the Senate under his Presidency will make laws and review existing ones to be in tandem with APC’s Next Level Agenda for Nigeria.
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja
