President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday said Nigeria achieved in 24 years a feat the United States could only achieve in 185 years.
In his address during the 2024 budget presentation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the joint session of lawmakers at the National Assembly on Wednesday, he said that ex-senators occupy strategic positions in the executive branch, making the two arms foster a healthier relationship.
Akpabio said that with former lawmakers running the executive branch, a cordial relationship between the two arms would be a must and continue to walk hand in hand and see eye to eye.
“Mr President, the United States of America has started democracy for about 247 years. But it was only when it marked its 185th anniversary that it succeeded in producing two former senators, John F Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson, as president and vice president, respectively.
“But within 24 years of our democracy, we have achieved what took the United States of America 185 years to achieve,” he said.
“Not only do we have two former Distinguished Senators serving as the President and Vice President of our dear country; we also have other alumni of this Assembly in positions of public trust: Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, and other Senators in the Cabinet.
“Mr. President, Distinguished and Honorable Members, maintaining a cordial relationship with the Executive Arm has always been a requirement of the law. Now, given that our Old Boys now run the Executive, a good relationship with the Executive is a must.
“Never have we had so many bridges and connection points between these two arms of Government.
“So we will continue to walk hand in hand and see eye to eye with the Executive Arm while ensuring that the principles of separation of powers, as well as checks and balances as enshrined in our Constitution, are observed in the overriding public interest,” he added.
