President Muhammadu Buhari has urged senators-elect who are of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to support him to turn around the fortunes of the country.

The president, who spoke during a dinner organised at the State House, Abuja on Monday night for the Senators-elect, said the delay in the passage of the budget by the eighth Assembly has negatively affected the performance of his administration.

Buhari pledged to work and partner with the 9th national assembly to promote peace, stability, and economic prosperity in the country.

“This is my fifth and last time of standing for an election – for that reason, I’ll like to leave something behind. And what I want to leave cannot be successfully done without your support.

“So, that is why I’m appealing for your support. What happened in the last Senate and so on is regrettable because I still feel it shouldn’t take seven months to pass a budget. You have a very, very serious job ahead of you.

“So, what I’m appealing is that any major decision you are going to take please reflect more on the country than yourself as a person – what effect will it have on the country,” he said.

At the dinner attended by key stakeholders of the APC including the national chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, the Senate Leader, Senator Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe) was recommended for the Senate presidency.