Presidency reacts to the alleged blocking of the entrance to the National Assembly

DSS Operatives mount a blockade at the entrance of the National Assembly this morning, preventing senators and workers from gaining access

Presidential liaison officer to the Senate, Senator Ita Enang has reacted to the alleged blocking of the entrance to the National Assembly by men of the DSS and Police on Tuesday.

Enang said that the presidency is not contemplating and will not be a party to anything that will destabilize the National Assembly.

The presidential aide spoke in reaction to allegations that some senators are planning to illegally reconvene the Senate.

On Monday, Senate President Bukola Saraki called an emergency meeting of the National Assembly leadership for today to deliberate on critical national issues needing the urgent intervention of the federal lawmakers.

The National Assembly adjourned on 24 July and will reconvene 25 September.

One of the issues the noon meeting will discuss is the budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission(EFCC), which President Muhammadu Buhari sent for consideration before the National Assembly went on recess on 24 July.

The meeting will take place at Room 301 of the Senate building.

In a letter to the National Assembly, President Buhari proposed a supplementary budget of N164 billion and N242 billion for the conduct of 2019 general elections.

The Vanguard, quoting sources, reported that after the meeting of the leadership of the National Assembly, a meeting would then be held with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC at 1pm same day.

The National Assembly leadership comprises both the Senate and the House of Representatives officials headed by Bukola Saraki as Senate President.

The Daily Independent also reported about the emergency meeting. But there has been no official notice from Saraki or Speaker Yakubu Dogara’s office.

On Sunday, the Presidency appealed to the National Assembly (NASS) to reconvene as urgent matters pending before it may affect the running of Nigeria and matters affecting Nigerians.

The appeal was made by the Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to the President on National Assembly Matters, Sen. Ita Enang at a news conference in Lagos.

Apart from the supplementary and INEC budget, also pending are several key appointments for the EFCC, ICPC, Deputy CBN Governor and AMCON among others.

Enang said that although the Senate had lined up those matters before the adjournment, there was need for them to resume because of the urgency required for the approval.

“We are appealing to Senate leadership and all caucuses of the National Assembly to see this as a clarion call for the good of the nation.

“As the Liaison Officer between NASS and the federal government, I know it is not the intention of the Lawmakers to make Nigerians suffer.