President Bola Tinubu Says ‘Disagreements May Occur’ As He Works With Lawmakers

Bola Tinubu, the new president of Nigeria, has entertained the possibility of having disagreements with lawmakers after Godswill Akpabio became the senate president and Tajudeen Abbas became the speaker of the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Following the elections, the president issued a statement where he mentioned that there might be disagreements in the future. However, he clarified that he is all set to work with the lawmakers.

"In the course of our work together, disagreements may occur," President Tinubu said, as per TheCable. "When we disagree it will not be out of malice, ill-will and the quest to diminish the institution of the national assembly or any individual member."

He went on to share that Nigerians expect senators and honorable members not only to make laws but also to carry out their "oversight duties," which are said to improve the government's performance—something necessary to achieve better results like improved quality of life.

He further shared that the citizens across the country expect a lot from the government. Moreover, Nigerians are expecting the government to get rid of their economic burden.

"They want us to eliminate insecurity so our farmers in rural communities can go to their farms and produce the food we eat," he explained. "Our people look up to us to change the fortune of our country for good and remove all barriers that impede progress."

"All of these we can make happen with dedication and commitment. We can only achieve all the good things we promised during our campaigns when we work together in harmony but with respect for our respective prerogatives and in the best interest of our country," he continued.

Considering the election victory, Akpabio won 63 votes while Abbas secured 353 votes.

Abbas, who became the new Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives after winning against former Deputy Speaker Idris Wase and Sani Jaji, said he would surpass the gains of the Ninth House.

"We stand at a crucial juncture in our nation's history, where challenges abound, but so do opportunities. We will champion legislation that will uplift the lives of our fellow citizens, promote social justice, and drive sustainable development," he said during his inaugural speech, as per Premium Times.

He then promised to focus on strengthening the country's "security apparatus, collaborating with relevant stakeholders to combat insurgency, terrorism and all forms of criminalities," adding that the aim is to help "create a safe and secure environment that fosters economic growth and social stability."

Senate Abbas also acknowledged the challenges faced by the country in several sectors including health care and infrastructure.