Former Senate Leader and a leading contender for the office of the 9th Senate President, Ali Ndume, (Borno South), has rolled out a 9-point agenda to actualise his dream against the decision of his party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The ruling APC and the Presidency had endorsed the incumbent Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan (Yobe North) as the sole candidate for the position of Senate President in the 9th Senate due for inauguration on June 10 or 11 at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.
Unfolding the agenda on Tuesday in Abuja, Ndume promised to improve upon the performance of the 8th Senate, assuring that he would make the Office of the Senate President less attractive by reducing the unnecessary privileges attached to it.
He also promised to uphold the independence of the legislative if elected the number three citizen, adding that he would “work harmoniously and inter-dependently with the Executive without undermining the principle of separation of power”.
Ndume said he will prioritise and ensure the passage of the Constituency Development Bill to make “constituency projects more transparent, accountable, efficient and effective”.
In cooperation and synergy with other senators-elect, he said the Senate will agree on timeline for confirmation, passage of bills especially the annual budgets which he said will not exceed 90 days from the day of submission.
Other issues on his agenda for the plum job include; “to make laws that will block leakages devise improved means of generating revenue, especially through the amendment and review of our tax laws which will help to reduce reliance on local and foreign loans to finance budget.
“To run the 9th Senate transparency, through open accountability with full participation of all Senators .For example, we will transfer the approving powers of the privileges of the senators like foreign travels, allowances to Senate services committee or a new committee to be known as ” ways and means committee”, he added.
To uphold the party’s principles and policies, he said the Senate under his Presidency will make laws and review existing ones to be in tandem with APC’s Next Level Agenda for Nigeria.
