Ekweremadu Absent As Buhari Lobbies National Assembly Leaders

Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday night, led no fewer than 20 members of the upper and lower chambers, to a first official meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and the leaders of both houses of the federal parliament, since assuming office on May 29, 2015.

The meeting between the principal leaders of the Executive and Legislative arms of government held at the First Lady’s conference room in the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting was aimed at discussing how to foster a cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature.

Sources said the meeting was slated to enable President Buhari enlist the support of the NASS leadership for the 2015 supplementary budget, as well as to familiarise with the lawmakers, especially as he will count on the support of upper chamber to confirm the ministerial nominees he sent last Friday.

President Buhari arrived for the meeting at 9.15pm in company of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir David Lawal.

Thought the deputy president of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, was absent at the meeting. Those Present were President Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio; House Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila among other principal officers of the red and green chambers.