Suspend Recess For The Sake Of Nigerians, Presidency Tells NASS

The National Assembly (NASS) has been admonished by the Presidency to reconvene as urgent matters pending before it may affect the running of Nigeria and matters affecting Nigerians.

The Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Ita Enang made this appeal in a news conference in Lagos.

Naija News recall that the Senate President announced the adjournment at plenary following a motion on the siege on Saraki and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, by security operatives.

NAN however reports that some of the pending urgent issues before the adjournment included the approval of a supplementary budget to fund the 2018 budget and the 2019 general Elections.

Enang said that although the Senate had lined up those matters before the adjournment, there was need for them to resume because of the urgency required for the approval.

“We are appealing to Senate leadership and all caucuses of the National Assembly to see this as a clarion call for the good of the nation.

“As the Liason Officer between NASS and the federal government, I know it is not the intention of the Lawmakers to make Nigerians suffer.

“The NASS vacation is usually planned to coincide with school vacations so that members can spend time with their children. However this is an election year and the budget has just been appended to hence the urgent need to give approval for Supplementary funds for it.

“We are not compelling them, we are appealing to them. As a liason officer between the Presidency and the NASS, my duty is to make sure that both arms stay together and work in harmony” he said.

Speaking on the series of defections in the National Assembly, the SSA to the President said this political move was personal and domestic to the political actors and is not connected to the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“In all the defections, they have maintained that they do not have problems with the federal government.

‘There is too much competition within the major political parties. Politicians study the platforms and would not want to be where they may not get the tickets especially for those seeking re-election. Some need automatic tickets but their party may say no.

“Defections are not a sign of anything to worry about in a political party. None of the defectors is complaining about executive treatment of their people but about winning nominations for tickets outside,” he added.