Saraki, Dogara: Why National Assembly Failed To Reconvene

The National Assembly failed to reconvene as scheduled today.
Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara said the two chambers will not reconvene in the immediate future.

They told legislators to proceed about their affairs while on holiday.

In a joint statement, they said there were indeed plans for the National Assembly to reconvene to deliberate on reports of the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters which arose with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The statement were issued on their behalf by their spokespersons,Yusuph Olaniyonu and Turaki Hassan.

The statement 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.”