Buhari seeks Saraki, Dogara’s support for budget 2016

Details emerged on Thursday on discussions between President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the National Assembly d

uring Wednesday’s late night meeting in Abuja.

Findings showed that at the meeting, the first between Buhari and the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, on states matters, Buhari sought “soft landing” for budgets.

Others who attended the meeting from the Senate included the Senate Majority Leader, Ali Ndume; the Deputy Majority Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah; Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio and Minority Whip, Philip Aduda.

Those who attended from the House of Representatives included the Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun; and House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila.

They all arrived the venue in a convoy at about 8.45pm.

However, the meeting started by 9.15pm.

The 2015 supplementary budget, expected to come to the National Assembly soon, was said to be an issue he sought the cooperation of the legislature to pass without hitches.

The supplementary budget will later be followed by the 2016 budget.

“There were discussions on why the supplementary budget has become necessary.

“Both sides discussed in a very warm atmosphere where the President urged support for his administration, an official of the National Assembly informed The PUNCH in Abuja.

The PUNCH gathered that Buhari made a case for the supplementary budget to augment provisions for recurrent spending, particularly the payment of workers’ salaries.

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“It is meant to be a budget of augmentation and the President told the National Assembly leaders so,” the official stated further.

It was also learnt that Buhari urged “friendly disposition” by the National Assembly toward executive correspondence to the legislature.

“This particular request seemed not to be unconnected with the President’s ministerial list, which is already before the Senate,” the source added.

The National Assembly had passed the budget in April with a crude oil benchmark of $53 per barrel.

However, oil has sold far below the budgeted figure for months.