Oct 22, 2010 – Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN on Friday addressed the 5th Executive / Legislative Parley in the State, advocating a sustenance of the spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation towards the attainment of the common goal among members of both arms of Government.
Governor Fashola who spoke at the opening ceremony of the Parley held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac added that this must be the prevailing spirit even as each arm plays its constitutionally assigned role, especially in checking the excesses of the other and in keeping with the rationale for Separation of Powers.
Congratulating Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi , leaders and members of the Action Congress of Nigeria over the recent vindication of the party’s electoral victory, Governor Fashola said the CAN continues to present a superior alternative to all other pretenders that abound in the country today.
People in other parts of the country, the Governor said, will inevitably yearn for the kind of leadership policies and personalities that abound in the party adding that with proper planning and rigorous implementation of its people oriented programmes , it is only a matter of time before the ACN takes charge at the centre and decisively pulls Nigeria up its rightful place in the comity of nations.
Charting the way forward, Governor Fashola said some of the things to be done is for the A.C.N to have a party structure that must be a beacon of hope calling all other progressives to its fold.
“We must resolve our internal differences with dispatch and offer constructive criticism and credible alternatives to the policies and actions of other parties,” he added. He also charged that the administration in each of the states in which the A.C.N. has control must reflect the high quality party backing thus coming out as the best possible consistently.
Governor Fashola declared: “This must reflect in the lives of our people so much so they become our most ardent proponents and most reliable bastion against reactionary forces”.
The Lagos State Governor explained that the onus of taking the party towards the envisaged level of achievement lies essentially on not only the party leaders but indeed every one.
Governor Fashola who noted the attainment of maximum welfare for the people remains the ultimate goal in public service added that all other concern, interest, purpose or activity which does not advance the welfare of the good people of Lagos must be illegitimate and contemptible.
He said the virtues of humility, patience, understanding and accommodation must become very prominent in the party fold as that represents the only way to build unity which is symbolized by the symbol of broom that finds strength in each of its component strands.
The Governor recalled that the last parley focused on the adoption of best practices in public sector management and has been so vital and expansive that it can be dwelt on for so long.
He reiterated that best practices in Public administration begins with proper planning and budgeting which is a field where the executive and the legislature are required to work harmoniously for the common good.
The Lagos State helmsman said to make each exercise better that the last, there must be a review process such as the one offered by the parley.
He attributed the success of rapidly developed economies like Singapore, China and Brazil to a most impeccable planning preceding a very diligent execution, stressing that this should be where Lagos and Nigeria must begin.
Speaking earlier, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji described the parley as a welcome development especially coming before the submission of budget estimate by the executive. He added that there is an understanding with the executive arm to always send in some members to confer and compare notes on grey areas with the legislature before estimates are submitted.
He emphasized that such pre-budget meeting will promote a brotherly atmosphere to iron out differences. Also speaking, the Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (A.C.N.), Chief Henry Ajomale, who represented the Chaiman of the occasion and Governor Emeritus Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu , commended Governor Fashola for the good work he is doing, adding that the smooth partnership existing between the executive and legislature has made it possible. He also supported the convening of pre-budget meeting between the executive and legislate, saying it would allow mutual ironing out of differences.
Earlier, while welcoming the participants, the Special Adviser on Political and Legislative Powers, Hon. Abdullateef Abdul Hakeem expressed appreciation to the legislature and executive for the warm relationship existing between them.
Prominent among those who attended were Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan and other members of the State Executive Council, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa and other members of the House of Representatives as well as other members of the State House of Assembly.
