Saraki, Dogara Rule Out Date For Reconvening NASS For INEC Budget Consideration

Saraki

The Senate President, Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, have ruled out any date for reconvening of the National Assembly for the consideration of the
budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for 2019 elections.

Saraki and Dogara explained in a joint statement that the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters and officials of the INEC which out to have met before Monday August 13, 2018, had not.

Also, they cited that the joint committees were also expected to meet with the joint Senate and House Committees on Appropriations, Loans and Debts on the Eurobond loan request after which two reports would have been ready for presentation in the two chambers.

They gave these explanations through a joint statement signed by their Special Advisers on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu for the Senate President and Turaki Hassan, for the Speaker.

The full text of the statement reads:

The Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, have directed that we inform all Senators, Honorable members and the public that a date has not been set for the reconvening of the Senate and the House of Representatives to consider the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 2019 elections budget request forwarded by President Muhammadu Buhari on July 17, 2018.

The leadership of the two chambers had met and agreed to reconvene to consider the proposal this week before which a meeting between the Joint Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters and officials of the INEC must have held on or before Monday August 13, 2018.

The joint committees were also expected to meet with the joint Senate and House Committees on Appropriations, Loans and Debts on the Eurobond loan request after which two reports would have been ready for presentation in the two chambers.

However, no such meeting had taken place yet as a result of which both Senate and House of Representatives cannot reconvene as there is no report to consider.

Until the Committees have a ready report for the consideration of the two chambers, it will be most irresponsible to recall members from recess especially those that may have travelled to Saudi Arabia for the Hajj.

Signed 1. Yusuph Olaniyonu Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to Senate President

2. Turaki Hassan Special Adviser (Media and Public Affairs) to Speaker, House of Representives