Saraki and Oshiomole
Saraki pre-empts APC plot, cancels reconvening National Assembly
The leadership of the National Assembly may have pre-empted the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the presidency on rumoured plot to impeach the NASS leadership this week if the parliament reconvenes. That may have prompted the National Assembly to cancel reconvening earlier expected this week.
Expectation had been that the leadership of the National Assembly would reconvene the parliament this week following its meeting with Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu last week. But a joint statement by the Chairman of the National Assembly and President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Tuesday morning has foreclosed NASS meeting.
Following the scuff between the parliament and the presidency and eventual decamping of Saraki to the opposition party, the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has maintained that Saraki must resign the position of the Senate President.
APC Chairman, Adams Oshiomole had insisted that Saraki must be impeached this week even if there be “two APC Senators”.
The National Assembly is expected to hold a special session to consider among other things a N242 billion budget for the 2019 elections.
The statement by the NASS leadership which was signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu and Turaki Hassan, media aide to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively read:
“The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, have directed that we inform all Senators, Honorable members and the public that a date has not been set for the reconvening of the Senate and the House of Representatives to consider the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 2019 elections budget request forwarded by President Muhammadu Buhari on July 17, 2018.
“The leadership of the two chambers had met and agreed to reconvene to consider the proposal this week before which a meeting between the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters and officials of the INEC must have held on or before Monday August 13, 2018.”
The inability to reconvene, they noted, was due to committee works which is yet to kick start.
“The joint committees were also expected to meet with the joint Senate and House Committees on Appropriations, Loans and Debts on the Eurobond loan request after which two reports would have been ready for presentation in the two chambers.
“However, no such meeting had taken place yet as a result of which both Senate and House of Representatives cannot reconvene as there is no report to consider.
“Until the Committees have a ready report for the consideration of the two chambers, it will be most irresponsible to recall members from recess especially those that may have travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj.”
The National Assembly adjourned for annual recess on July 24, and is officially set to reconvene on September 25.
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