President Muhammadu Buhari says he decided not to meddle in the affairs of the National Assembly since he assumed in 2015 because of his belief in the independence of the legislature.

Buhari said his administration ensured an harmonious relationship between the executive and the legislature and promoted a culture of mutual respect and collaboration between the two arms.

He said this at the inauguration of the permanent site of National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Abuja on Thursday, May 25.

The President said he was optimism that the complex would boost the capacity of the legislature in Nigeria and Africa at large.

President Buhari described the legislature as the cornerstone of any democracy, adding that it was vital to ensuring that the wish and aspirations of all Nigerians were considered during the lawmaking process.

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Buhari said the lawmakers also perform critical functions of overseeing the executive and ensuring that government’s spending aligned with legislative intent.

Also speaking at the event, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said the result of executive and legislative collaboration helped in facilitating hundreds of roads, bridges as well as rehabilitation and reconstruction of rail lines across the country.

Lawan said: “We have also passed several legislations to provide an overarching framework for sustainable economic growth and development.

”Significantly also, the investment in infrastructure development extends to all six zones of the country.”

On his part, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, appealed to President Buhari to assent to the Federal Audit Bill and National Assembly Budget and Research Office Bill passed by the Assembly.

Gbajabiamila said the bill sought to enhance the oversight function of committees as critical legislative priorities as well as to improve transparency and accountability in government processes.

The Star