Jonathan: We're Messengers Sent To Bring Democratic Goods

Source: thewillnigeria.com
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PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN

SAN FRANCISCO, April 24, (THEWILL) – President Goodluck Jonathan, Wednesday in Abuja, said the Executive and the Legislative arms of government were not in any battle for supremacy.

Describing members of the two organs of government as messengers sent to bring democratic goods, Jonathan said: “We are messengers sent to bring democratic goods. Our roles, duties and responsibilities are well defined and there is no reason whatsoever for us not to work together for the greatness of our country.”

The President stated this at the opening of the two-day National Conference on Executive-Legislature Relations, organised by the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, with the theme, ‘Strengthening Executive-Legislative Collaboration in Governance.’

Represented at the occasion by Vice President Namadi Sambo, the President reiterated his commitment to ensuring cordial relations among all the three arms of government.

“I have maintained a policy of non-interference in the affairs of the National Assembly. Today, we have a stable National Assembly and a cordial atmosphere suitable for the conduct of parliamentary business,” Jonathan said.

While acknowledging that there could be disagreements once in a while and that political parties may differ, the President , however, stressed that it should not be allowed to be a dividing force or blown out of proportion, stressing that “What Nigerians want and deserve is good governance to the highest standards.”


Jonathan maintained that the relationship between the Executive and the Legislature is not about the two arms but about the governed, saying “it is about harnessing our constitutional powers and God-given talents, and deploying our positions as public servants to drive our progress as a nation.”


He nonetheless congratulated the organisers for their foresight, saying the event was apt and in line with his administration’s Transformation Agenda.

“This is one conference that I have looked forward to be part of, because of its significance in my governance philosophy,” he added.

President of the Senate, Senator David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, while commending the organisers of the conference stressed the importance of partnership between the executive and the legislature in the deliverance of good governance and dividends of democracy to Nigerians.

Earlier the convener of the conference and the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emodi, said the conference was aimed at consolidating on the existing cordial relations between the Executive and the Legislative arms of government, saying it represents a “high watermark in Nigeria’s search for good governance.”

Billed to make presentations at the conference are Ms. Baleka Mbete, former Speaker, National Assembly of South Africa and Chairperson of African National Conference, South Africa and other top resource persons

The opening ceremony was witnessed by former Senate President, Dr. Joseph Wayas and Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State . It also had in attendance past and present members of the National Assembly and members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).