Reps in rowdy session over Buhari’s letter on 2018 budget presentation

THERE was an uproar in the House of Representatives on Thursday over President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter requesting the National Assembly to grant him the slot of November 7 to present the 2018 budget estimates to the joint sitting of both Senate and House.

The president’s letter was read by the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara at the plenary session on Thursday.

In the letter, President Buhari hinted that the budget would be presented by 2pm on the said date.

Hardly had the Speaker read the letter when a mild drama played out on the floor of the House as some members from the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party, told the Speaker that he mentioned “2017” instead of “2018”.

This forced the Speaker to read the letter again to the hearing of the lawmakers.

Afterward, the shout of no, no rented the air but the Speaker told his colleagues that “we don’t have the constitutional power to say no”.

The President’s letter dated, November 1 and addressed to the Speaker read: “laying of the 2018 budget proposal before the National Assembly.

“Pursuant to Section 81 of the 1999 constitution, may I crave the kind indulgence of the National Assembly to grant me the slot of 1400hrs on Tuesday, 7th November 2017 to formally address a joint session and lay before the National Assembly the 2018 budget proposal.

“Please extend, Mr Speaker, the assurances of my highest regards to the Honourable members as I look forward to addressing the joint session”.

In another development, the Chairman, House Committee on Capital Market and other institutions, Honourable Tajudeen Yusuf submitted a petition from concerned Nigerians on the level of implementation of 2017 Appropriation Act.