Angered by minister’s comment, Reps vow to boycott Buhari’s 2019 budget presentation

House of Representatives members have vowed to stay away from plenary on Wednesday,the day President Muhammadu Buhari is billed to present the 2019 appropriation bill to the lawmakers.

The federal lawmakers stated this in response to allege uncomplimentary remarks purportedly made against them by the Minister of Budget and National Planning,Senator Udo Udoma.

The minister was said to have on Wednesday accused the lawmakers of stifling efforts to lay the budget and that they have refused to give a date for the budget presentation.

However, when the lawmakers resumed sitting and a letter from President Buhari requesting the House to mark out Wednesday for the laying of the document, was read out to them, the lawmakers fumed in anger over the minister’s alleged earlier accusation against them.

They wondered why Udoma could have deliberately told lies against them. According to them, the minister’s alleged comment was only meant to bring the institution of the legislature to a state of disregard and mockery, as well as to subtly cover up the incompetence of the executive arm.

According to them, it was disheartening that the executive arm of government which managed to only last Friday completed work and approved the budget estimate, would turn around to accuse the lawmakers of negligence of duty.

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The disruption of the House plenary as a result of the development was brought to a stop following the intervention of the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara.

Butthe members resolved that should the minister not tender a public apology,retracting his alleged statement before Tuesday next week, they would be forcedto take a decision on the matter.

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