Saraki Speaks On NASS Leadership Meeting With Buhari

Channels Tv

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday night met behind closed doors with the leaderships of the Senate and House of Representatives at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Senate President Bukola Saraki and House Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, led the leadership of the two chambers to the State House.

Other Senate leaders at the meeting included Majority Leader, Ali Ndume; Deputy Majority Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah; Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio and Minority Whip, Philip Aduda.

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu was absent.

Members from the House of Representatives included Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun and Leader Femi Gbajabiamila.

They arrived at the First Lady’s Conference Hall venue in a convoy at about 8.45pm.

The meeting started about 9.15pm when President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and some top government officials arrived at the venue.

Reporters were barred from covering the meeting.

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).

Saraki, who is being prosecuted by the Code of Conduct Tribunal for alleged false declaration of assets emerged the President of the Senate against the party’s wish.

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

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, spoke to state house correspondent after the meeting.

“It was the initiative of the President for the interaction between the leadership of the national assembly (to hold) and being the first meeting it was a very useful session as 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 works he has for us and the general commitment is that yes the National Assembly has legislators from different parties but now we are representing Nigeria and we have a common goal to work together in the interest of Nigeria.

He said that both the President and the lawmakers were ensuring that distractions are not allowed to creep into their duties.