Date: 2016-06-02

Citizen Support for Good Governance (CSGG), a group based in the United Kingdom has commended the President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki for his visionary leadership to steer the country's legislation forward in the last one year.

The group Chairman, Mr Felix Obaro says the body particularly recognised the role played by the 8th National Assembly in ensuring a smooth transition for President Muhammadu Buhari noting that the success enjoyed was as a result of stability from majority of the Senators and House Rep members who were present in the 7th Assembly.

In a statement signed by the group executives and made available to press by its National Secretary, Mr Rotimi Ajenifuja, it stated that from inception the Senate under the leadership of Dr. Bukola Saraki has ensured unity among the Senators which has in turn translated to good support for Mr President in key areas of government without external influence.

''Our observation of the Senate within a time frame of one year has not done badly, the ministerial nomination and confirmation as shown on live television was a litmus test that the Senate was upright in its dealings, this was followed by its oversight on the 2016 Budget tagged 'budget of hope'. At CSGG, we followed the scrutiny process and applauds the effort of the Nass committees set up to iron out the grey areas in the budget with the MDAs.''

Speaking on the motions moved so far and bills up for consideration, the CSGG says it was impressed with the Senate ability to discard bills that was of no benefit to the general public.

The part statement read ''This Senate has considered to pass quite a number of bills or moved motions with questionable motives, however, its decision to listen to the masses to withdraw such bills is a welcomed development. The withdrawal of the Frivolous petition bill also known as Anti-Social Media bill and bill to amend the Code of Conduct Bureau act were signs that democracy is at work''

Mr Obaro, disclosed that the Citizen Support for Good Governance group (CSGG) has embarked on quite a number of road projects and empowerment programmes in Ifo of Ogun State and Bayegun area of Lagos, stating that its mission was to spread across the geo-political zones of the country.

The Chairman also tasks the National Assembly members to put Nigeria first and avoid moves that could delay governance in the interest of Nigerians. He urged the leadership of both chambers to expedite action on the bills recently put forward by the President especially the Money Laundering; this he said will prevent politicians from siphoning public wealth into their private accounts.

Obaro expressed optimism that the current administration will in the long run ameliorate the hardship experienced by Nigerians stating that an overhaul was necessary to put the country back on a right track.