Former President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan on Thursday, warned that Nigerians no matter their status or positions they occupy in the society, should not disrespect the armed forces.

He said Nigeria has committed men and women in the armed forces that give their lives for the sake of the country and therefore they deserve respect and support at all times.

The warning came on the heels of the altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, Lieutenant AM Yerima, over an alleged land grabbing in Abuja.

Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting behind closed-doors with President Bola Tinubu, Senator Lawan, who represents Yobe North Senatorial District, said the armed forces and other security agencies are doing so much to protect the lives and property of Nigerians.

Asked his advice on the altercation between the FCT Minister, Wike, and the army officer, Senator Lawan, who is Chairman of Senate Committee on Defence said: “Well let me commend our armed forces and other security agencies for doing so much for us to protect our lives and property. I head the Senate Committee on defence and I did that once in 2015. I know how committed our armed forces are, I know how they give their lives for the sake of this country. They deserve our respect; they deserve our support at all times.

“This administration is giving a lot of funds to the armed forces and other security agencies and I believe that the next thing is to insist on getting returns from the investments we make.

“But Nigerians regardless of our status, must respect our armed forces. For me personally I have worked closely with our armed forces and they are doing a very good job, we need to give them a pat on the back, we need to support them.”

Further asked whether the National Assembly has discarded the January to December budget circle and gone back to the old order as the 2026 budget proposal is yet to be forwarded by the executive, the former Senate President said there was no cause for alarm.

“No, that’s not something I can tell you whether we are going to the old order or whatever. But I think everybody is aware that time is of essence when it comes to budget for the country, and I’m sure both the executive and the legislature are working very closely to ensure that the 2026 budget estimates is presented to the National Assembly as quickly as possible.

“We have no time to waste, and I’m sure the executive arm of government knows how important it is, and they must be working so hard around the clock to ensure that the correct things are presented in National Assembly, and we will not waste any time to ensure that we process properly and then we scrutinize and pass the budget as quickly as possible,” he said.

On why he was at the presidential Villa, Lawan said he came to congratulate the President for doing a very good job for the country.

“Mr. President, in the last two years or so, has been taking very, bold, courageous, profound steps, through various reforms, to position the economy of our country and also ramp up so much investments in the security sector to make our country safer,” he said.

He said the county has recorded remarkable achievement, adding: “Our economy has stabilized. We are facing the right direction, and there is growth.”

He said what was needed was to ensure that its growth is all inclusive.

According to him: “The security situation is improving, even though we have challenges, but I believe that the huge investments this administration is making is going to pay off. And I believe that our armed forces and other security agencies are also so committed, but as we give them more resources, we should expect them to do more and better.

“Mr. President is our leader. I support this administration and Mr. President fully believing that as a loyal APC (All Progressives Congress) member, I should do my best to make this administration succeed.

“And as a legislator, as a senator, I have the responsibility to ensure that my senatorial district and indeed the country, benefit from this administration. Where we feel the administration needs to refocus, work or reconsider certain issues, we’ll always do so because that will make our performance more efficient and effective.”

Senator Lawan described Tinubu as a listening president, pointing out that in some cases when the public cry out against certain government policy, the President always reconsider the policy according to popular demand.

“So I believe that it’s very important that we come here to see Mr. President, tell him what we feel about certain political or governmental issues, advice, and also seek advice from Mr president as our leader. We are behind him fully to ensure that this administration and subsequent APC administrations deliver to Nigerians what Nigerians expect and actually need.”

The senator, who said that he was well received by the president explained why he doesn’t criticize the government.

He said: “If I can have access to my president, if I have anything to say about the administration or my party, then I should meet the president, give my advice or seek advice as quickly as possible, and be purposeful and reasonable and patriotic enough to make sure we don’t cause unnecessary upheavals in our political systems.” (Vanguard)