President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday said he had observed the outcome of the elections of principal officers of the National Assembly and stood by his earlier position that he would work with whoever the lawmakers elected to preside over their affairs.
While acknowledging that he would have preferred that the process of electing the leaders as initiated and concluded by the governing All Progressives Congress was followed, he was of the view that constitutional process “has somewhat occurred”.
President Buhari’s position was contained in a statement issued to journalists in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.
The Senate and House of Representatives today elected a President of the Senate and Speaker in the persons of Bukola Saraki and Dogara Yakubu respectively in defiance of the APC’s preferred choices – Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila.
According to Adesina, “President Buhari had said in an earlier statement that he did not have any preferred candidate for the Senate and the House of Representatives, and that he was willing to work with whoever the lawmakers elected.
“That sentiment still stands. Though he would have preferred the new leaders to have emerged through the process established by the party”.
The spokesman said the stability of the nation’s constitutional order and overall interest of the common man were uppermost on Mr. Buhari’s mind, as far as the National Assembly elections were concerned.
He further quoted the President as calling on all “the elected representatives of the people” to focus on the enormous task of bringing enduring positive change to the lives of Nigerians.
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