- The bickering between the executive and legislative arms of governments in Nigeria is never-ending
- There is always mutual suspicion on both sides
- This scenario reared its ugly head again on Thursday, June 15 at the Nigerian Senate plenary
The Nigerian Senate has officially reacted to a statement credited to Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on the 2017 Budget.
The media had quoted Osinbajo as saying the National Assembly had no right to insert projects into the document.
Acting President Osinbajo was quoted to have said the Senate has no right to insert projects into the budget
“When you present budget to the National Assembly, it is presented as a bill, an appropriation bill.
“And secondly, do not introduce entirely new projects and all of that or modify projects. This is something that we experienced last year and this year again. It now leaves the question about who is supposed to do what,” Osinbajo said.
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Raising the point during plenary today, Thursday, June 15, deputy majority leader, Senator Bala Na'Alllah cited order 43 demanding explanation on the statement made by the acting president.
In response, Senate President Bukola Saraki said the point raised by Senator Na'Alllah is very important, but quickly added that Osinbajo must have been misquoted.
“There are times that we have consultations with the executives and we have to put down our constitutional powers.
“This Senate will continue to defend the constitution,” Saraki said.
Senate President Bukola Saraki said Osinbajo must have been misquoted
Meanwhile, recent media reports indicates that the presidency has resolved to approach the Supreme Court for interpretation of Section 80 of the 1999 Constitution.
The presidency's move is due to the unending disagreement with the legislature over the extent of its power of appropriation.
The section of the constitution in contention, grants the National Assembly the power to approve appropriated public funds.
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