Buhari Meets With N/Assembly Principal Officers, Ekweremadu Absent

President Muhammadu Buhari last night met behind closed doors with the leadership of the National Assembly.

Principal officers of the two chambers were led into the meeting by Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara. However, the deputy president of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu was not present.

The meeting was held at the Conference Room of the First Lady Wing of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The legislators arrived at 8.45 pm for the meeting which commenced at 9.20pm.
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President Buhari arrived for the meeting at 9.15pm in company of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir David Lawal.

The meeting discussed how to foster a cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature, Senate President Bukola Saraki told State House journalists last night.

The lawmakers in attendance included Senate Leader Ali Ndume, Senate Deputy Leader Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Senate Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio, Senate Minority Whip Philip Aduda, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun, House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, among others.

The House of Representatives had last Wednesday passed a resolution mandating Speaker Dogara to intervene in the present challenges being faced by the Senate president.

The House had specifically resolved that its leadership meet with President Buhari with a view to politically resolve all outstanding issues relating to National Assembly in the interest of Nigerians.

The president of the Senate is currently being prosecuted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) for 13-count charges including alleged false assets declaration who emerged the President of the Senate against the party’s wish.

It was learnt that the meeting would also discuss the list of the president’s ministerial nominees whose screening will start next Tuesday.

Even though the agenda of the meeting was not made public, it was gathered that it was not unconnected with moves to resolve the crisis and reconcile Saraki with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Another issue that might be tabled during the meeting is the plan by the President to send a supplementary budget to the National Assembly.