-Invites INEC chair
-We won’t reconvene now if…- Reps
Senate President Bukola Saraki, has called for a meeting of the joint leadership of the two chambers of the National Assembly today, Blueprint has gathered.
Both chambers proceeded on recess on July 24 to reconvene on September 25.
Today’s meeting is coming as Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday, met behind closed doors with the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang.
And in what appears a follow-up to the Villa meeting, a source in the Senate President’s office disclosed that the NASS leaders are expected to meet with the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, at Room 301 of the Senate wing by 1.00 pm.
But ahead of their meeting with the INEC chief, the NASS leaders are expected to deliberate on some salient issues, bordering on defection and possible date for reconvening of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Speaking on the meeting, our source said, “It is a usual fortnightly meeting called by the Senate President to discuss some issues at 8.pm.
However, in view of the urgency of the matters at hand, this will come up at about 12 tomorrow (today) to discuss some issues, after which the INEC chair is expected to join them during which the proposed 2019 general election budget will be discussed.” The leaders expected at the meeting scheduled for 12.00 noon include; Senate President Saraki , his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, Speaker of the House of Representatives , Hon.
Yakubu Dogara, his Deputy , Hon Yussuf Lasun, and other 16 principal officers from both chambers.
It was also gathered that the meeting might pave way for possible reconvening of sittings by both chambers this month, for consideration and approval of the N242 billion budgeted for the conduct of 2019 general elections, as proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The leaders would also discuss the propriety otherwise of reconvening before the September 25 adjourned date.
