By Balkis Tijani.
Following expiration of the life of the eighth Senate, Abdulqadir Abdulganiyy, the media aide to the senator representing Kwara South, Senator Rafiu Adebayo Ibrahim has praised the 8th Assembly under the leadership of Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki for leading what he termed “the most productive Senate since the return of democracy in 1999.”
In his congratulatory message, Mr Abdulqadir noted that irrespective of the numerous challenges and vicious attacks suffered by Senator Saraki, he remained unperturbed, stood his ground and ensured that the Senate under his leadership recorded several laudable achievements which set the standard for subsequent Assemblies.
Abdulqadir praised Dr Saraki for his resilience, stressing that such strong resolve for due process as exhibited by the legendary Kwara leader, deepened democratic practice by upholding the independence of the legislature and ensured it no longer served as rubber stamp for the executive.
He said, “Indeed, your composure, intelligence and resilience are second to none.
“You upheld the independence of the legislative arm and ensured the legislature never kowtow to the executive, which had always been the norm in Nigerian politics.
“Without doubt, you raised the bar of legislation and moved the Senate to enviable heights, as attested to by one of your colleagues and former senate president, David Mark.”
The media aide also congratulated Senator Rafiu Ibrahim who served as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Financial Institutions, sponsored and co-sponsored several bills in the eighth Senate.
Abdulqadir noted that the Ojoku-born politician, facilitated several programmes and projects for his constituents, leaving behind indelible footprints never witnessed before in the history of legislative representation in Kwara South.
“It is your outstanding performance that endeared you to a lot of people within and outside your constituency”, Abdulqadir said.