Saraki absent at budget meeting with Buhari

Senate President Bukola Saraki did not participate at a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa on Tuesday.

The meeting, called to resolve the budget impasse, was attended by Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives.

No government official was willing to comment on the development, although it is understood that the ongoing trial of Saraki over allegations of false asset declaration might have led to his absence.

Recently, Saraki came late for a meeting of leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) also at the presidential villa.

Tuesday’s meeting lasted for 30 minutes, with Abba Kyari, chief of staff to the president, and Ita Enang, senior special assistant to the president on national assembly matters (senate), in attendance.

Security operatives barred correspondents from getting access to Dogara after the meeting – the security gate erected at the front of the council chambers was locked.

Dogara left the meeting and made his way to his vehicle without talking to the media.

Enang declined comment on the meeting.

The two chambers of the national assembly passed the budget three weeks ago and forwarded the details to the president for assent, but the president is yet to give his assent over some controversial areas.