Saraki Absent, Dogara Meets Buhari in Aso Rock over Budget

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, late on Tuesday met behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The meeting, which was held inside the President’s office at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, was believed to be part of efforts aimed at resolving the 2016 budget controversy.

Embattled senate president Bukola Saraki did not attend the meeting which lasted about 30 minutes.

The Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, were present at the meeting.

Security men attached to the Presidential Villa barred State House correspondents from interviewing Dogara after the brief meeting.

A security gate erected at the front of the Council Chambers was locked against them when they attempted to approach Dogara as he made his way to his vehicle.

Kyari later told the reporters that the Speaker could not have spoken to them because there were two leaders of the two chambers of the National Assembly, saying only one of them visited.

Enang also declined comment on the matter.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said it was not advisable for the President to sign a budget that he would not be able to implement.