2016 Budget: Buhari and the National Assembly Finally Reach a Conclusion

 

At last, the Executive arm of the government and the National Assembly have resolved their lingering face-off over the 2016 budget, giving hope that any moment from now, President Muhammadu Buhari would sign the document into law, according to the Vanguard.

A truce was brokered between the two arms of government at a meeting between the president, vice president Yemi Osinbajo and the leadership of the national assembly led by the senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday night.

Earlier yesterday, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubo Dogara had met behind closed doors with president Buhari on the same matter.

Speaking after the nocturnal meeting, the senate president, Saraki told State House Correspondents that the controversial issues about the budget had been laid to rest, assuring that in a matter of days, the Appropriation Bill would be given the backing of the law for onward implementation by the federal government.

On the outcome of the meeting, Saraki said: “We just finished a meeting with the president and VP. We came to let them know some of the solutions that we found in moving the budget process forward and we are happy to say that we have agreed on the way forward and we believe that this process will be completed in matter of days rather than weeks. So, it is good news to Nigerians and all of us. We have found a way forward and in a matter of days the budget will be ready for president’s assent.”