Having experienced stiff opposition and political face off throughout the four-year tenure from the eight National Assembly chaired by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, President
Muhammadu Buhari has requested assistance of Governor Ibikunle Amosun as part of measures to ensure cordial relationship between the Presidency and the National Assembly.
President Buhari, who will be sworn in for second term in office next Wednesday, seeks Amosun’s political assistance just as he is doing for other loyal Senators-elect, believes that Governor Amosun, being a second timer at the Senate, will muster needed support from colleague Senators and Representatives’ members at the ninth National Assembly.
BDSUNDAY observes that the President has started romancing loyal Senators-elect within the All Progressives Congress (APC), including Governor Ibikunle Amosun, a Senators-elect from Ogun Central Senatorial District, to work out modalities that will ensure cordial relationship between the Presidency and the ninth National Assembly unlike what was obtainable during Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara-led National Assembly.
Speaking in Abeokuta on Saturday at the inauguration of Governor Amosun’s four legacy projects, President Buhari stated that he would use Amosun’s connection at the National Assembly to garner needed support for his government in order to avoid usual face off between the Legislature and the Presidency, saying being in the good books of Governor Amosun, is as good as being supported already.
He said, “I am grateful for the invitation extended to me by the Governor, very clear, I didn’t know at the time I made the commitment that it will be during Ramadhan. But having made the commitment, I tried to manage it.
“The Senate, being the highest law making body of the country is so patriotic and pragmatic in the sense that, for example, Bayelsa has eight local governments; Kano has 44 local governments and you tried to check the population, but in the Senate, they are equal. I think it is impartial, very very much impartial.
“In the Senate, he can continue to serve not only Ogun State but the whole country. I am very pleased that I have been in his good books, at least publicly. So, in the Senate, where he’s going to sit for four years and I, God willing in the Presidency for four years, I will automatically assume that he will support me.”
While speaking on Governor Amosun’s investments in infrastructure and other developmental projects, President Buhari lauded Amosun having inaugurated four legacy projects which include Adire Mall at Itoku; Judiciary Complex at Eleweran, Kobape road; OGTV Digital Studio and Amphitheatre, all in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.
“I think the way he named those projects and the publicity he gave by every position, we see ‘Legacy Projects’ commissioning today, I think he has prepared for this governorship, he has prepared himself for it, he has put in place infrastructure that would last.
“I congratulate you for having the foresight to make sure that his imprint remains indelible. Very clever person, thank you.
“In the infrastructure, he took me through the flyovers, the bridges, the hospital, and this your outfit (judiciary complex), they are first class. I think you have done well for yourself and for Ogun State”, he commended Amosun.
Earlier, Governor Amosun declared that his government had change narratives of development and governance for better in State with array of developmental projects executed in the last eight years, saying: ” Even as we prepare to bow out of office, our desire to continue to contribute our quota to the socio-economic development of our dear State remains undiluted.”
Governor Amosun, who was joined at the projects’ inauguration by Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State Governor and the Chairman of Governors’ Forum; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, added: “Even at the twilight of the tenure of our Administration, we continue to ensure that life becomes more comfortable and abundant for our people through infrastructural development.”
RAZAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta
