By James Isaac,Abuja
Senator Neda Imasuen of the Labour Party (LP) has called on politicians across party lines to work together if Nigeria’s persistent security challenges are to be effectively addressed. The lawmaker made this call on Thursday while speaking to a group of journalists in Abuja.
Senator Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District, commended the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in tackling insecurity and expressed hope that the upcoming national security summit would yield actionable results.
He said “We need to close ranks and work together across party lines if the security challenges confronting our nation are to be surmounted,I believe President Tinubu is committed to addressing insecurity, and this summit will be different because the political will is now stronger.”
On the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government, Imasuen stressed the need for healthy collaboration rather than rivalry, dismissed the narrative that such cooperation amounts to “rubber-stamping.”
“When a bill comes to the Senate, we must assess its content not who sponsors it. Whether it’s from APC, PDP, or Labour, if it’s a good bill, I will support it. That is not rubber-stamping; that is responsible lawmaking,” he said.
Reacting to concerns about the increasing number of lawmakers defecting to the ruling APC, Senator Imasuen defended the trend, stated that defection is a constitutional right.
“Defection is not a crime. Our constitution guarantees freedom of association. People move to where they feel their political ideals align. This does not signify a one-party state,” he said, while also drawing a parallel with the dominance once enjoyed by the PDP in the early 2000s.
Addressing the issue of multiple bills being introduced in the Senate, Imasuen emphasized that every senator has the constitutional right to propose bills.
“You cannot stop a senator from proposing a bill. It is our privilege. The only challenge is whether the national budget can support the implementation of these bills,” he noted.
Speaking on the two-year anniversary of the Tinubu administration, Senator Imasuen acknowledged that the journey has been challenging but necessary.
“This administration came in during economic turbulence. Tough decisions have been made to stabilize the country. President Tinubu has shown courage in tackling issues previous administrations ignored, including VAT and population control. These are crucial for our national development,” he said.
Senator Imasuen concluded by urging citizens and stakeholders to give the government the necessary support to drive reforms and restore stability across the country.
