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Fresh crisis looms between Senate, Osinbajo over budget

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Fresh crisis looms between Senate, Osinbajo over budget

The Senate has warned the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo not to mistake its consultations with the executive on important national issues to mean that it is ready to cede its constitutional powers.

The Senate was reacting to a statement credited to Osinbajo, where he was quoted to have said that the National Assembly has no right to introduce new projects or modify those contained in an appropriation bill.

Reacting to a point of order raised by the Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Saraki said the “Senate will continue to defend the constitution and ensure that anything we do is in line with the laws of the land”.

Saraki added: “I want to say that there are times we have a number of consultations and I want to make it clear that these consultations we do with the executive will not at any time mean that we will give up the powers we have in line with the Constitution.

“I want to reassure our members on this because it is very important based on what we have heard. You may be concerned that one way or another, leadership had given up some of these powers. That is not the case.

“But I believe that as responsible statesmen, there are times we consult and do our best to work with the Executive and assist them. But as we bend backwards, I do not think that should be misrepresented that powers given to us in the constitution do not exist. That is not the case.”

Na’Allah, had while raising the point of order, quoted various sections of the 1999 constitution as amended and maintained that the Acting President goofed in his claims.

Quoting from Section 80 of the constitution, Na’Allah said: “For the avoidance of doubt, this same constitution we operated from 1999 to date has section 80, and the title of section 80 is “Power and Control over Public Funds”.

“It reads that ‘all funds received by the Federation not being revenues of other monies payable under this constitution or any Act of the National Assembly into any other public fund of the Federation established for a specific purpose shall be payable to and for one consolidated fund of the Federation.

“No monies shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation except to meet expenditure that is charged upon the fund by the constitution or where the issue of those monies has been authorised by an Appropriation Act, Supplementary Appropriation Act or Act passed in pursuance of Section 81 of the Constitution.

“No money shall be withdrawn from any public funds of the Federation other than the Consolidated revenue fund of the Federation unless the issue of those monies has been authorised by an Act of the National Assembly.

“No money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly. That is the provision.”

Na’Allah wondered why a professor of law should make what he described as unguarded statements.

He said: “I know that the Acting President who is a Professor of Law is sufficiently trained in law to know that the National Assembly has powers to tinker with the budget. I am not making a case for him and I do not want to believe that he said what has been alleged that he said.

“I also want to assuage the fears of my colleagues that what was alleged to have been said does not represent the spirit of the framers of our Constitution. This explanation is necessary so that we put this matter to rest.”

Meanwhile, the Senate has adjourned till the 4th of July, 2017.

 

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0 Comments

  1. Animashaun Ayodeji

    June 16, 2017 at 8:52 am

    I consider this response from the senate unnecessary and worthless, Osinbajo should be well repected being the current first man of Nigeria, being the acting president he should be given equal treatments as Buhari

    • Abeni Adebisi

      June 16, 2017 at 9:01 am

      This isn’t a matter of respect, Osinbajo is expected to know that the senate has the constitutional right to up or down the budget as they deem fit. The slight amendment applied to the 2017 budget was necessary

  2. Anita Kingsley

    June 16, 2017 at 9:19 am

    There crisis will never end until their tenure is over. The good thing about the senate and executive is that, they will always disagree to agree and it makes their drama more interesting.

  3. seyi jelili

    June 16, 2017 at 12:29 pm

    This is a clear indication that our senators don’t know their limit when it comes to appropriation bill, they thought it’s their right to alter figure and modify the whole budget. These people need orientation

    • Joy Madu

      June 16, 2017 at 12:35 pm

      Yes they are not oriented or they know is there’s a budget but don’t know what budget is like and what can be said when it comes to budget

  4. yanju omotodun

    June 17, 2017 at 6:09 am

    Let’s verify if Osinbajo truly said this before we start pouring out our mind.

    • JOHNSON PETER

      June 17, 2017 at 6:11 am

      What confirmation again if Ripples Nigeria disseminate information, it’s verified

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