Asks them to be magnanimous in victory

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday congratulated the leadership of the 9th National Assembly, following the emergence of Senator Ahmed Lawan as the President of the Senate and Mr Femi Gbajabiamila as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Mr Idris Wase also emerged as the Deputy Senate President and Deputy Speaker respectively.

“The President also salutes all the national legislators and their political parties for their display of patriotism and non-partisanship before and during the election.


“He commends the transparent and fair nature of the voting process, adjudging it as a plus for the democracy in the country,” a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said on Tuesday.

Buhari noted that the new leadership was “new dawn, different from duplicity and perfidy of the immediate past.”

He advised the leadership to work for the interest of Nigeria, using their exalted positions.

Buhari touched on the executive-legislature relationship, saying, “The Executive does not desire a rubber stamp Legislature. While separation of powers is essential, collaboration among all Arms of Government should be the name of the game.

“Opposition need not be virulent.”

The President added, “Stepping into the Next Level, the legislature has a big role to play for the goals of the administration to be achieved…This is for the ultimate good of the nation.”