Why I will never run for the Senate - El-Rufai

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has explained why he would never contest election to the Senate to become a lawmaker like some of his colleagues in the country.

He said he did not have the patience to function in that capacity, adding that a legislator requires hard work, unlike the executive where decisions can be made with the right to hire and dismiss.

Mr. El-Rufai spoke at the 2022 Distinguished Parliamentarians Conference organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Abuja on Monday.

He was the chairman of the event.

"The legislature is a legislature that I know I cannot function because I don't have the patience," said Mr. El-Rufai, a former FCT minister.

The governor told the National Assembly "everyone is equal and no leadership is more demanding than managing an equal. It is the hardest job in this country.

"I know that many of my colleagues are retiring to become legislators, but I can assure you that I will never retire to become a legislator."

14 former governors are currently senators.

In addition, no less than eight incumbent governors are candidates for the February 25 senatorial elections.

These are Simon Lalong (Plateau), Muhammed Badaru (Jigawa), Samuel Ortom (Benue), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Okezie Ikpeazu ( Abia).

They all complete their second terms in May 2023.

Mr. El-Rufai also set the agenda for the Ninth National Assembly.

While praising the Assembly for passing some of the most important laws in Nigerian history, the Governor of Kaduna urged members to ensure the enactment of the State and Community Police Act before their term expires in June 2023. He said the current police system in the country is not working.

According to him, Nigeria is the only country with a centralized police system, and the National Assembly must ensure that he enacts a new law to support the police system in the country.< /p> READ ALSO:

He also said that Nigeria remains the only country with a unitary judiciary, adding that the National Assembly should ensure that this issue is resolved before its term expires.

He also urged lawmakers to enact legislation that would ensure that the first 12 years of education are free and compulsory from primary to secondary.

According to Mr. El-Rufai, Nigeria can never progress without educating everyone in the country.

He said the reform of local government autonomy to make each local government flexible to meet the needs of the state should also be the priority of the 9th assembly.

He said, "These are things that need creative legislation by the 9th Assembly and they need to make sure this is done before it ends in June."

Praising the leadership of Ahmad Lawan, the President of the Senate and Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, he said: "The two are perhaps the most experienced legislators in the country".

He said the conference became necessary because the National Assembly was the most decapitated branch of government, as it was usually dissolved whenever there was a coup.

“That is why the conference is important to continue building capacity. It is necessary to have this type of interaction from time to time to improve the functioning of the legislature,” he said.

In response, Mr. Lawan said Mr. El-Rufai's remark about the right to hire and fire did not apply to lawmakers.

According to him, "it's a complete reversal because our colleague...