2019 must not distract us… it’s too early for politicking, Saraki tells senators

Senate President Bukola Saraki says it is too early to start 2019 politicking.

In a welcome address to his colleagues on Tuesday, Saraki said they should not allow politicking override their legislative agenda.

He said it would be insensitive to the needs of Nigerians.

The senate president said they should endeavour to conclude the “good thing” they have begun on the economic aspect of their agenda.

“This is my appeal – it is too early for 2019 politicking to override the legislative agenda and the larger work of governance. We have begun a good thing with the economic core of our agenda; let us see it to its proper conclusion,” he said.

“It would be most insensitive to the needs of the people of this country if we were to do otherwise. I am directing this appeal not only to us in the chamber but to the national assembly as a whole, as well as to the executive and indeed all political actors.

“Distinguished colleagues, it is my appeal to each and every one of us, that our legislative duty to Nigeria and her people, must be uppermost in our minds.

“We must not allow the upcoming 2019 elections to overshadow our work for the people that elected us – or distract us from that which we are mandated to do by the constitution and the trust reposed in us by the people.”

Saraki urged them to speed up work on important legislation such as the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) related bills.

“Therefore it is imperative that we speed up consideration on the various bills on which legislative work remains outstanding – particularly economic bills. Calling for similar attention are the other parts of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) related bills still to be passed, namely: the Petroleum Industry Fiscal Bill and the Petroleum Host Community Bill,” he said.