Ndume dares APC on senate presidency, unfolds nine-point agenda

Ali Ndume, former senate leader, has dared the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), by unveiling his agenda as a candidate for the senate presidency in the ninth national assembly.

Despite the resolution of the ruling party, which endorsed Ahmed Lawan as the senate president, Ndume, senator representing Borno south district, went ahead to release a document on Tuesday, which contains his nine-point agenda for his tenure if elected the senate president.

The senator, in the document, promised to make the office of the senate president less attractive by reducing the unnecessary privileges attached to it.

He also expressed his readiness to work harmoniously and inter-dependently with the executive without undermining the principle of separation of powers.

The former senate leader disclosed that he will ensure priority is given to the passage of the constituency development bill to make “constituency projects more transparent, accountable, efficient and effective”.

“We will 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,” Ndume said.

The lawmaker further said that “we will run the 9th Senate transparently, through open accountability with full participation of all senators.”

“For example, we will transfer the approving powers of the privileges of the senators like foreign travels, allowances to Senate services committee or a new committee to be known as “ways and means committee,” he added.

Ndume assured that the senate, under his leadership, would uphold the party’s principles and policies, by making laws and reviewing existing ones in tandem with the APC’s Next Level agenda for Nigeria.