Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, has said all elected and public officials, irrespective of their political leanings, must have a common goal to work together in the interest and development of Nigeria.

He said the closed-door meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly, held on Wednesday night, was a welcome development, as it would smoothen the relationship between the two arms of government.

Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting which lasted about two hours, Saraki explained that the meeting signified a good working relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.

He said the meeting was an initiative of the president for an interaction with the leadership of the National Assembly, adding, that such interactions were “a necessity for national development.

According to him, the meeting had demonstrated that the nation was working and had in attendance Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and other principal officers of both chambers. However, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu was conspicuously absent at the meeting.

Also in attendance was Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

Saraki said: “The meeting was an initiative of the president for an interaction with the leadership of the National Assembly. It was a very useful session, being the first. This kind of interaction helps in ensuring smooth relationship between the two arms of government.

“We discussed a number of issues; some of the plans. The general commitment is that yes, the National Assembly has legislators from different parties, but now, we are representing Nigeria. We have a common goal, which is to see that we work together in the interest of the country as a whole,” he said.

On whether the issue of his ongoing trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal featured at the meeting, the Senate President said the meeting was about how to make Nigeria work.

He said: “We are talking about what will make Nigeria work; we are talking about the promises we made during elections. Those are the big issues we are talking about and to ensure that there is no distraction.

“The focus is to ensure that the executive arm does things in the interest of the county. It is normal in a democratic setting, from time to time, to see the parliament talking with the executive. That is how to make things work.

“What we are taking away is for Nigerians to be confident that government is working. We are committed to work together and it is going to be for the good of Nigerians at large. It is a good development. We are all committed to what we are all elected to do: to make Nigeria work,” he said.

The Senate President explained that Ekweremadu and Deputy Minority Whip, House of Representatives could not attend the meeting because they were attending a conference.