My Trial Was Not discussed In Meeting With Buhari – Saraki
Senate President Bukola Saraki, has said that the issue of his ongoing trial with the code of conduct tribunal, was not discussed at the meeting he and the leadership of the National Assembly held with President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday night.
Saraki who disclosed this while addressing State House correspondents after the closed-door meeting held at the First Lady’s Conference Hall of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, stated that the focus of the meeting was on how to ensure the executive works in the interest of Nigeria.
According to the Senate president, the meeting was a very useful session, being the first of its kind.
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The senate president noted that this kind of interaction helps in ensuring smooth relationship between the two arms of government.
Saraki said, “We’re talking about what will make Nigeria work, we’re talking about the promises we made during elections. Those are the big issues we’re talking about and to ensure that there are no distractions. The focus is to ensure that the executive arm does things in the interest of the country.
“We discussed a number of issues: some of the plans. The general commitment is that yes, the National Assembly has legislators from different parties but now we are representing Nigeria. We have a common goal to see that we work together for the interest of the country as a whole.
“It is normal in democratic setting, from time to time; you see the parliament talking with the executive. That’s how to make things work. What we’re taking away is for Nigerians to be confident that government is working. We’re committed to work together and it is going to be for the good of Nigerians at large. It’s a good development. We’re all committed to what we’re all elected to do: to make Nigeria work.
“Two people are not here because they are attending a conference. The Deputy Minority Whip in the House too is not here. It just happened that they are not in the country.”
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Present at the meeting included Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal and the Chief of Staff to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari.
The lawmakers in attendance included Senate Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume, Senate Deputy Leader Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Senate Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio, Senate Chief Whip Olusola Adeyeye and Senate Minority Whip Philip Aduda as well as House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun, House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, among others.
Speaking on the absence of his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu at the meeting, Saraki said he was attending a conference outside the country at the time of the session.
