The Leadership Of The National Assembly of Nigeria Dogara,Saraki and Others meet to decide on 2016 Budget

Abuja – The Leadership of the National Assembly assembled on Monday evening in other to make final decision pertaining to the controversial 2016 budget document.

According to a Punch report, Senate President Bukola Saraki chaired the meeting, while Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, was tasked with speaking to President Muhammadu Buhari on ‘grey areas’ within the budget.

Legislative officials have since revealed that the meeting between the two chambers was held in anticipation of Buhari’s response to the document, which was passed by the National Assembly on March 23.

“The meeting may not necessarily be about overriding the President’s veto. There isn’t a veto per se because Buhari has not said so officially.

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“It is to look at the areas where the executive has already complained of distortions in the budget so that both houses will agree on what to do when a formal letter comes from the Presidency,” an official disclosed.

The gathering follows a meeting between Dogara and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo held during Buhari’s visit to China.

During the meeting, the VP is said to have given Dogara a “list of items” on the areas that Buhari allegedly sought to be included in the final document.

Members of the National Assembly, however, still expect Buhari to comply with the provisions of Section 59 of the 1999 Constitution, by formally writing to the House in order to air any grievances that he may have.