The Afenifere Renewal Group alleged on Monday that the National Assembly under the leadership of Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara slowed down the pace of developmental programmes of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The ARG Publicity Secretary, Ekiti State chapter, Michael Ogungbemi, who made the claim, called on National Assembly members-elect to be patriotic and cooperate with the executive arm of the government towards ensuring development in the country.
Ogungbemi, in a statement in Ado Ekiti, advised the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to accept defeat and refrain from litigation, which he said “will constitute distraction to governance.”
The ARG stated, “We congratulate President Buhari who has once again enjoyed the legitimate mandate of the Nigerian people in recognition of his honesty and integrity.
“Although the ARG and the APC know that the proposed petition against Buhari will fail, going to court is not patriotic because it will constitute distraction to governance.”
ARG, while reviewing the composition of the incoming National Assembly, stated, “We look forward to having a season of robust, responsible and purposeful legislation, as well as non-rancorous and harmonious relationship between the executive and the legislature to engender good governance.
“In the last few years, the legislature had poised to be more of a thorn in the flesh of the executive than partners in progress and this largely accounted for the slow pace of developmental programmes of President Buhari.
“For the next four years, Nigerians expect the two arms to cohabit mutually to make Nigeria great in all spheres. We need partnership that will turn around the fortunes of Nigerians for better and not egoistic posture that will derail governance and bring Nigeria to a stalemate.”
Ogungbemi lauded the Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, for winning the three senatorial and six House of Representatives seats in Ekiti for the APC, hinging the feat on the governor’s performance in office within the last four months.
The group added, “Fayemi has been able to bring expertise and experience to government to correct the ills perpetrated by the immediate past government in the areas of education, social investment policy and infrastructure.”
