Eno lauds Tinubu for inclusive, bipartisanship in governance

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, on Friday, praised President Bola Tinubu for inclusiveness and bipartisanship approach to governance in the country.

Eno made the commendation during a 2-day retreat organised for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.

“We share the Federal Government’s bipartisanship and inclusiveness approach to governance,” Eno said.

Eno, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi, stressed the need to lower the temperature of partisanship and zero-game machinations.

He noted that the retreat would bring a new Nigeria, where national interest trumps partisan and primordial sentiments.

Eno said the presence of the Vice President also attests to the existing cordial relationship between the Executive and the National Assembly.

He also commended the Federal Government’s efforts towards ameliorating the suffering of Nigerians occasioned by the withdrawal of fuel subsidies.

“In the spirit of robust collaboration, the Akwa Ibom Government has substantially augmented the palliatives provided by the Federal Government to the tune of almost N5 billion and the feedback is quite encouraging,” Eno said.

The governor said that the retreat was appropriate and timely, especially coming in the early days of the current administration.

“The times call for a departure from the old methods of doing things and for obvious reasons, the National Assembly has a crucial role to play in stimulating a new national culture which will underpin our march towards moral rebirth, social stability and economic prosperity.

“Needless to say, we are presently at a crucial junction in our socio-economic development, which calls for stock-taking, deep thinking, timely reforms and deliberate actions.

In his welcome remarks, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, Director General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, (NILDS) said the retreat aimed to provide an opportunity for the leadership of both chambers to share experiences, and identify strategic legislation, among others.

“We have all come together with a common purpose to reflect, learn and strategies on how we can collectively enhance the performance of the National Assembly,” Sulaiman said.

Sulaiman said that the only way to achieve the lofty goals of the President was to ensure that necessary legislative frameworks support government actions.

He added that the retreat would provide an opportunity for bonding and candid exchange on critical issues before the National Assembly.

The DG said that the focus on the leadership of both chambers was on account of the role they played in influencing and implementing the legislative agenda as well as their general role in the functioning of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Sulaiman said, “The leadership sets the tone for the overall functioning of the Assembly, promotes democratic values and upholds the institution’s integrity.”

Also speaking, Mr Abbas Tajudeen, the Speaker, House of Representatives explained that the retreat was an auspicious moment to reflect and prepare for the days ahead, noting that the retreat was a welcome development.

“As it offers the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, the opportunity to draw from the experience of the resource persons.

“And the discussion that would emanate from the meeting to enhance its operations and performance which would strengthen the contribution of legislative governance to the overall process of good governance that our country needs at this point in history.

“I am, therefore, very pleased for the opportunity offered by this retreat to reflect and engage with colleagues to the attainment of the 8-Point Agenda of our President,” Tajudeen said.