Saraki, Dogara explain why National Assembly cannot reconvene this week

Leaders of the national assembly have disclosed that no date has been set to reconvene members to consider the budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2019 general elections.

In a statement jointly issued by the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, they noted that recalling members at the moment would be 'irresponsible' as joint Senate and House Committees don't yet have reports on the budget request sent by President Muhammadu Buhari last month.

The statement read, "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."

NASS on recess till September

The national assembly adjourned legislative sittings till September 25 during plenary on July 24, amid a controversial clampdown by security operatives on Saraki and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, in what has been described as a witch-hunt orchestrated by the executive.

The alleged witch-hunt raised even more concerns when operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS)invaded the national assembly complex on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, a day Saraki had scheduled a meeting of the leadership of the parliament, as well as with INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.