He Senateon Wednesday, he suspended the plenary session to allow lawmakers to participate in the general election campaigns. Senate President Ahmad Lawan made the announcement in plenary.
Lawan said the Senate would go into recess today (Wednesday) to allow senators to fully participate in their return campaigns or their political parties.
He said that “the elections of the National Assembly (members) along with the President, will be held on February 25.
“It is our prayer and hope that those of us who are going to contest the National Assembly elections in the Senate, may Almighty God be on our side.
“This is because we need to have those who provide the institutional memory.
“The casualties have always been too great and too costly for our country and democracy in Nigeria.
“That is not to say that Nigerians should not have the way they want to elect their National Assembly members. But MPs are worth retaining if they are doing their job well,” he said.
This, Lawan said, helped the institution or parliament to build and work for the people and the country.
The President of the Senate also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to carry out very free, fair and credible elections.
“This Senate and indeed the National Assembly has supported INEC to the teeth.
“Here in the assembly, almost everything that was requested from the INEC was approved.
“We hope INEC is at the top of its game,” he said.
He also urged security agencies to guarantee elections free of violence.
“Nigerians should go through this elective period without any hassles or obstacles.
“No citizen should be barred from participating if that citizen is legally required to participate.
“That is, people should go vote and of course do the right thing to make sure their votes count.
“For the rest of us who may not run, we still have something to do to help the development of democracy.
“We have gained a lot of experience working in parliament and we still have a lot to offer.
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“When we return on February 28, three days after the presidential and National Assembly elections, our hope is that we will come back here and review the situation that will have taken place, but we pray that what we review is all positive. .
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“And for a legislative week, we will be in the chamber until March 1 before also going to the March 11 campaigns and state gubernatorial and house of assembly elections.”
(YAYA)
