Date: 2015-06-10

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State has congratulated the newly elected Chairman of the 8th National Assembly and Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki on his ascension to office.

The party also commended President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for his statesman-like position on the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly and his unalloyed respect ?for the independence of the legislative arm of government.

In a statement issued in Ilorin on Wednesday by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Sulyman Buhari, the party said the emergence of Senator Saraki as the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shows that the train of change has fully taken off.

"?We are particularly excited because the newly elected Senate President is a leader, who has risked everything including his life to campaign and entrone an APC-led federal government in Nigeria.

"His ascension is a landmark due to the fact that he enjoyed support from his distinguished colleagues across party affiliations.

"?We hereby commend His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for his statesman-like position on the inauguration of the 8th National Assembly and his unalloyed respect ?for the independence of the legislative arm of government.

"We noted with satisfaction and delight, the excerpt of the inaugural speech of the Senate President which reads: "My dear distinguished colleagues, we are entering the saddle at a time when a lot is being expected of us. Nigerians expect the barest minimum out of our agenda; that the new senate and National Assembly must make laws that will enable us renew our infrastructure, reform the oil sector, reform our security systems, boost agriculture, create jobs and make doing business in Nigeria much more competitive. In the coming days we shall be converging to hammer out an aggregate agenda that will help us focus and deliver on these minimum expectations".

"With this commitment, we are confident that the National Assembly under the leadership of Senator Saraki will work closely and cordially with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to deliver true change to Nigerians.", the statement read.