Senator Gbenga Daniel (Ogun East) yesterday said the 10th Senate should not be seen as rubber-stamp if it maintains a cordial relation with the Executive.
According to him, the legislature can play its role of lawmaking and oversight without antagonism to the Executive arm.
Daniel, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, said restructuring has started, judging by steps taken by former President Muhammadu Buhari at the twilight of his administration, and steps being taken by President Bola Tinubu.
He explained the National Assembly can be on the same page with the Executive because those who dominate the two arms belong to the same party.
Daniel, a former Ogun State governor, said: “The 10th National Assembly will not be a rubber stamp. There will be cooperation because the Executive and Legislature, being from the same party, share the same vision, ideas and manifestos. It is in the interest of society for them to be on the same page. The collective goal is service to Nigeria.”
Noting the ninth did well by passing the Electoral Act and Petroleum Industry Bill, he promised this 10th will do better.
Daniel also said restructuring has started, stressing it manifested in the sort of tinkering with pre-existing federal arrangement. He noted due to insecurity, stakeholders have agreed the centralised policing structure cannot work.
The former governor said the agitation for high allocation by Niger Delta is justifiable, adding other zones with like resources can become derivation areas worthy of improved allocation.
He maintained the best form of restructuring should foster economic development.
Daniel said he will articulate in the Senate the problems of his district, including flooding and decayed federal roads that have become death traps.
He said in aid of the emerging airport, one of the technical schools lying fallow in the district should be converted into an aviation college by the Federal Government.
Daniel reflected on the infant Tinubu Government, assuring that he will appoint a credible cabinet, which will be a blend of experienced technocrats and politicians.
He said other factors that may be considered by the President are the imperative of reward, inclusion and unity.
Daniel added:”We will have a competent and efficient cabinet. Tinubu is intelligent and he will not suffer fools gladly.”
On whether the president should attack portfolios to the list of nominees, he said:”This is good. But the president on his own would have done a proper scrutiny because he knows what he is doing. He knows how to identify talentz and assign responsibilities to them.
“You need competence. But you also need character to run the ministries.
Daniel clarified that he wrote a letter to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun that he will not collect his pension as former governor because it would amount to double salaries.
He said:”It is not right to collect two salaries. SERAP got a judgement that there should be no two salaries. I was shocked that my decision generated much interest. We also need to give credit to former Ogun governors-Osoba, myself, Amosun. Ogun governors never sent bills to the House of Assembly together pensions.”
Source: The Nation
