2019: Saraki cautions against Do-Or-Die politics
making the coming general elections "a do-or-die affair".
He also insisted that Nigerians must be allowed to exercise their
rights to choose who will represent them at all levels.
Saraki who made the declaration while welcoming his colleagues from
the Christmas and New Year break, in a statement by his Chief Press
Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, said all efforts must be made to
ensure that the elections are free, fair and credible.
He stated that the 8th Senate, having passed a record 257 as at the
end of December 2018, must not be distracted but should rather remain
focused in order to finish strong.
In his words, "This is an epoch-making Senate that had, by the end of
2018, passed an unprecedented 257 bills, many of which are
groundbreaking enough to change the game to meet the needs of
Nigerians, with the potential to radically transform their lives for
the better.
"Nigerians expect us to continue in this vein, and we owe it to
ourselves to meet their expectations. The legacy of the 8th Senate
will be written in the legislative footprints that we leave, and the
foundation that we lay.
"Therefore, we must ensure that we continue to address issues
affecting Nigerians, and concerning which they seek our intervention.
Issues such as Unemployment, lack of economic opportunities,
insecurity and so on – these still require the attention of the
National Assembly.
"Every action that we can take to address these issues through the
legislative function, we must take; everything that we can do, we must
do. We must ensure that we conclude work on all outstanding bills and
petitions, and bring a successful conclusion to all issues and
investigations brought to the attention of this Senate.
"The 2019 Elections are just over a month away, and the expectations
of Nigerians as the dates draw near is that we continue to serve as
the representatives they voted for. In our work in this chamber, we
are expected to rise about the partisan paradigm.
"We should address our minds to, and always channel our efforts to how
we can move our country forward. Nigerians want to see leaders who
will not succumb to the partisan instinct in lawmaking.
"They want to see leaders who will bring new ideas to bear on the
challenges confronting the country. These include Out-of-school
children figures; rebuilding the North East; securing the North West;
increasing Girl Child education; as well as how we navigate our way in
the economy for higher productivity," he stated.
On the forthcoming elections, the Senate President said: "Looking
ahead to the General Elections, I wish all contestants and aspirants
luck in the forthcoming elections, including those here among us.
"I enjoin us all to bear in mind that it should be a contest of ideas.
We should eschew ad hominem approaches to political discourse, and
communicate our ideas in a civil manner.
"The issue of PVCs remains a concern. I call on the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC) to give urgent attention to the
matter. Issue has similarly been raised about people buying PVCs; this
should also be looked into.
"Let me take this opportunity to reiterate the need for INEC to bring
relevant stakeholders together for a dialogue on a way forward to
tackle these issues, ahead of the elections.
"Everything must be done and every sacrifice must be made to ensure
free and fair 2019 Elections. INEC is encouraged to engage the parties
and be transparent in its decision making. It is important that the
people are assured of the Commission's resolve and commitment to
credible elections.
"To all Nigerians, I say this: we must have a country after the
elections. We all still have to live among ourselves when the polls
have closed and the elections are over. The rhetoric leading up to the
elections must, therefore, be mindful of the need for moderation,
decorum and respect.
"To those of us who are contesting, let us remember that our biggest
offer is to serve. Ultimately, the Nigerian people have a right to
choose who will represent them at all levels. It is not a do or die
affair. I encourage all to participate in the coming polls and I wish
Nigerians a safe 2019 Election".
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