SENATE PRESIDENCY: Ali Ndume Unveils 9-Point Agenda

One of the contenders for the Senate President’s seat, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has unveiled a 9-point agenda if he eventually gets elected.

Ndume’s position was against the stand taken by the national leadership of his party, the APC, which adopted Senate Leader Ahmad Lawan for the office.

The senator, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, said one of his cardinal points would be to make the office of the Number 3 Citizen less attractive by ensuring that he reduced any unnecessary privileges attached to the office.

Ndume said he would prioritise the passage of the Constituency Development Bill, which, he noted, would make constituency projects more transparent, accountable, efficient and effective.

He said he would equally ensure the entrenchment of the independence of the legislature and bring about harmonious working relationship with the executive arm without undermining the principle of separation of powers.

Ndume noted that he would lobby his colleagues to have a timeline for confirmation of the nominees of the president, passage of bills especially the annual budgets which, he said, will not exceed 90 days from the day of submission.

Another point in his agenda is “to make laws that will block leakages, devise improved means of generating revenue, especially through the amendment and review of our tax laws which will help to reduce reliance on local and foreign loans to finance budget.

The agenda also seeks “to run the 9th Senate transparently, through open accountability with full participation of all senators”. He equally promised to ensure that the Senate under him makes laws that would strengthen the programmes and policies of government to promote the Next Level agenda.