The Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan Media Support Group (SALMG) has commended senators-elect on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for supporting the candidature of Senator Ahmad Lawan as president of the incoming 9th senate.
In a statement by its coordinator, Abdul Danladi Abuh, described the decision by majority of the PDP senators, including the immediate past deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu, as “an exhibition of maturity” by the opposition lawmakers.
The group said Sunday the PDP senators have by their decision to support Lawan, despite party difference, demonstrated the traits of genuine elder statesmen “which demands the need for selfless disposition to personal ambitions towards engendering a polity that works for stability and in the interest of larger good.
“By their actions, the PDP senators of the ninth senate have laid a solid foundation for a stable senate. They have proven to be true leaders that are more interested in stability of the institution of the senate in the interest of moving the country forward.”
It said Ekweremadu and other ranking senators have played a great role in stabilizing the polity since their elections into the senate saying “They have again demonstrated their readiness to contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s democracy irrespective of personal ambitions.”
The group also called on the remaining aspirant in the race for senate presidency, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume to emulate his colleagues adding that “Ndume as a respected senior lawmaker is expected to toe the line of other ranking senators towards ensuring the smooth take-off of the incoming Senate slated for Tuesday, June 11.
“As brothers from the North-east, Ndume should look forward to playing a critical role in the success of the Lawan senate. They should by now be working on creating legislations that would improve the general living conditions of people in their region and the country at large.
“We call on Ndume to consider stepping down for Lawan as a mark of respect for President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which has since endorsed Lawan as preferred candidate for president of the 9th senate.”
