The two chambers of the National Assembly have released a joint statement saying no date have been fixed for members to reconvene and consider the budget of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The statement which was released a few hours ago by Special Advisers on Media and Publicity to both the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara, refuted claims of the National Assembly reconvening tomorrow, saying the leadership of the National Assembly would have to meet with INEC officials before they can reconvene.
The report which was titled: “No Date for National Assembly Reconvening on INEC Budget” 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.”
The statement was signed by Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu media adviser to Senate President, and Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to the Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr. Turaki Hassan.