Abati: I thought I could rattle Tinubu during media chat — but he knows what he’s doing

By Sanni Onogu, Abuja

Vice President Kassim Shettima has said the Ninth Senate worked for a better Nigeria.

He insisted that the stability of the country is better with the stability of lawmakers while urging Senators-elect to vote wisely to elect Presiding Officers on Tuesday.

The First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu also expressed gratitude to God for sustaining her in the Senate for three consecutive terms.

Shettima and Oluremi spoke at the valedictory session organised in Abuja by the outgoing Ninth Senate.

Shettima said: “To my fellow colleagues who will depart from this chamber, I address you not as colleagues left behind but as experienced lawmakers who have become an integral part of my history.

“We have shared many things in common and standing shoulder to shoulder in times of adversity. We have fought relentlessly for the betterment of our dear country.

“To my incoming colleagues, I will leave you with a paradox. The stability of this nation is superior to the stability of our pockets. On Tuesday, let us vote wisely. Let us vote for the Nigerian nation.

“The stability of our country is better than the stability of our pockets. Let us vote wisely on Tuesday.”

Senator Tinubu said: “God sustained me for three terms, from 7th Assembly to 9th Assembly.

“I am still confused myself how I have been able to continue the journey because serving the nation takes a lot of sacrifice.

“It started with the sacrifice from your homes, your children even your better half. It is also a great privilege for all of us that are here because over the years, we have made friends, brothers, sisters across our various tribes, ethnicity and religious divide.

“We have the entire Nigerians being represented and we were able to forge ahead and come together when we need to make very good decisions in the overall interest of the nation. We did that as elder statesmen and women.

“My thanks will go to my husband for even giving me support. He gives me advice when I seek for it. He gave me the freedom to be myself self and to be able to make contributions necessary to improve the lives of our people especially our women, youths and children.

“God used me to do exploit in this hallowed chamber. I did all that is required of every legislator. Motions, bills including those that had been assented to by law.” (Nation)