President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, met briefly with Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting was held behind closed doors shortly after the Independence Day ceremony.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Speaker House of representatives, Yakubu Dogara, as well as Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, were said to be in attendance at the brief meeting.
The meeting reportedly held at the president’s office after having light refreshments at the venue of the Independence Day ceremony. Details of the meeting, however, were not made public.
Earlier, the embattled Sen. Saraki had joined President Buhari and other eminent government officials as well as several foreign envoys were at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa for a low-keyed 55th Independence anniversary celebration and also the ceremonial presidential change of guards parade mounted by officers and men of the 177 Battalion and 7 Battalion of the Presidential Guards Brigade, Abuja
The ceremony, which lasted for about two hours, replaced the normal full military parade and other forms of entertainments that usually hold at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
?President Buhari on arrival at the event proceeded to inspect the quarter guards at the gate before moving to the Villa forecourt to receive the national salute.
?Apart from the inspection of new Guards/Quarter Guards, the ceremony also witnessed silent drills, posting of sentries, colour parade, inspection of weapons and uniforms among other colourful displays by the Brigade of Guards Command.
?President Buhari signed the anniversary register, released pigeons from their cage and cut the anniversary cake after the 21-gun salute as part of the ceremony.
?Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the event, Senator Saraki expressed confidence that the years ahead were promising for the country, saying that the National Assembly would make laws that would impact positively on the citizens.
He said: “I am hopeful and confident that the future is very bright. In the next few years, things will be even better.
“It will not be business as usual. We will ensure that the National Assembly will be people-oriented and will make laws that will make impact on Nigerians.”
It could be recalled that there have been media reports suggesting a rift between President Buhari and the leadership of the Nigerian Assembly.
Media reports speculate that the president has for some time frustrated all efforts by Sen. Saraki to see him following the controversial manner in which the latter emerged as the Senate president.
The occasion of Nigeria’s 55th Independence anniversary, however, finally provided an opportunity for them to meet.
