By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
A group, Stay Alert Human Right Awareness Initiative, has welcome the election of Sen. Godswill Akpabio and Sen. Barau Jibrin as Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively, saying it was a reflection of national unity.
Executive-Director of the group, Ambassador Hillary Onah, who stated this during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, also commended the election of the Speaker of House of Representative, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
He charged the new leadership of the National Assembly to make laws that will protect the interest of Nigerians.
According to the group “Elections of the principal officers of the 10th National assembly principal officers has come and gone. The election is the most credible election in the history of National Assembly and a true reflection of National unity,” he said.
He said the group canvased effectively and efficiently for the victory of Senator Akpabio based on their solid conviction that his leadership will rally support of other members of National Assembly to support President Ahmed Tinubu to bring about a desired government that will favour all Nigerians and restore trust, hope and dignity of all sundry.
“We thank all Nigerians for their support especially the members of the National Assembly that heed to our call to elect non-tribalistic and religious bigots as leaders of the 10th National Assembly.
“As we call on Nigerians and all National Assembly members to support the Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio and other elected members for a successful tenure.
The group vowed to follow up on the activities of National Assembly members to ensure adequate representation of the people.
He said the group will follow up on national assembly members to monitor their individual accounts to ensure constituency projects are implemented.
He further urged the 10th Senate to make laws that support the wellbeing of their citizens.
He said, “We assure all and sundry that as a human rights organization that promotes human right values and seek redress for victims of human rights abuse that we shall not fail to hold the members of the assembly accountable to ensure effective and result oriented representation”
According to him, “The sole mandate of National Assembly members is to represent the entirety of Nigerians in their constituencies. Their call to action is to propagate laws that support the wellbeing of their citizens.
“At this 10th National Assembly, StayALert HumanRight Awareness Initiative is asking that there should be open governance judging from the Inaugural Presidential speech of President Ahmed Tinubu where he promised of fair hearing and equal representation for all citizens.
“We enjoin the 10th National Assembly members led by an uncommon performer Senator Godswill Akpabio to propagate laws that promote development and wellbeing of the citizens of Nigeria, laws that promote rule of law that is so lacking in the previous administrations of Government, laws that promote inclusiveness of all citizens in the governance of the nation.
This he said, will promote meaningful engagements of the citizens through decision making as it affects good governance and leadership.
