XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS: Gbajabiamila reveals his discussions with Buhari

The House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila said he discussed issues bothering on xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa and the 2020 budget matters with President Muhammadu Buhari.

He had met behind closed doors with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday.

He told State House correspondents at the end of the meeting that their discussions centred on national issues requiring the attention of both the legislature and the executive with the president.

He said, “I came to fully discuss that with Mr President and other national issues that require the attention of both the legislature and the executive and we had very fruitful discussions on those issues.

“As of now, Mr President has taken proactive steps in evacuating our citizens. We have issued a statement today and is in tandem with what the executive is doing and we stand by our citizens.

“Our priority is to protect the welfare of our citizens and that is exactly what we are doing and that is what the president is doing.”

On the 2020 budget, he said, “We discussed the issue of the budget, as you are aware we want to bring the budget circle back to what it used to be – January to December, and the only way to do that is for an early presentation of the budget and we have discussed that.

“I know the budget is going to come as early as possible. It maybe the end of this month or shortly thereafter, but I cannot give you any definite date.

“But it’s going to be an early presentation so that we can pass the budget before the end of the year and return to the January to December circle.”

READ ALSO: XENOPHOBIA: It is time to deal with S’Africa —Gbajabiamila

Other national issues he said they discussed on bothered on security matters and the $9.6 billion London Judgment debt.

“We discussed security issues and the issue of the recent $9 billion awards against Nigeria. I say that with a smile but not really smiling. Clearly we are in opposition to that and steps will be taken,” he said.

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