Ahead of today’s laying of the 2015 budget on the
table for National Assembly’s consideration, Minister
of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday
pleaded with House of Representatives Speaker
Aminu Tambuwal to facilitate the bill’s passage.
There has been no love lost between the executive
and the Speaker since he defected from the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives
Congress (APC).
Tambuwal’s security guards have been withdrawn
and he and some of the members were prevented
from accessing the National Assembly complex on
November 20.
They were also tear gassed.
In response to the police invasion and the declaration
by Inspector General of Police Suleiman Abba that he
does not recognise Tambuwal as Speaker, the House
has restricted policemen to the gate of the complex.
A principal officer, who spoke in confidence with our
correspondent, said: “The Minister of Finance met
with Tambuwal to solicit the support of the House for
easy passage of the 2015 budget.
“For about two hours, she begged the Speaker and
other House leaders, including the chairmen of the
House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, on
the presentation of next year’s Appropriation Bill.
“There is need to fast-track the budget in the overall
interest of the country. The Minister decided to by-
pass the legal cold war between the Presidency and
the House to make a strong case for the nation’s
economy.”
Another principal officer said: “Okonjo-Iweala briefed
the session on some realistic projections surrounding
the 2015 budget, including the $65 per barrel
benchmark.
“She spoke on the likely challenges the nation might
face with the implementation of the 2015 budget
and the plans put in place by her ministry to manage
these shocks.
“She marshaled her points in an emotional manner.
“She came to plead with the House to put the
survival of the economy above petty politics
overshadowing the activities of the House.
“The nation’s economy will be in dire straits if the
row over the plot to force the Speaker and others to
vacate their seats festers.

“I think, it is this kind of rapprochement that the
nation needs. Tambuwal assured the Minister of the
readiness of the House to facilitate the quick passage
of the budget whenever it is presented or laid.”
Notwithstanding the visit of the Minister, Tambuwal
staved off the plot to force him to vacate his seat
following House decision to stop the police from
manning all the gates to the National Assembly
Complex.

Policemen have now been restricted to the entrance
checkpoint, which is about two to three kilometres to
the main gate of the National Assembly Complex.

Instead, sergeants-at-arms were directed to take over
security in the National Assembly.
Besides the security build-up, it was gathered that
the rejection of an ex-parte application to sack
Tambuwal by Justice Ahmed Mohammed put the
anti-Speaker’s camp in disarray and the plot failed.

Those behind the plot have also discovered that they
could not muster the required number to force
Tambuwal to vacate his seat because of issues over
primaries, which had forced some members to defect
from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to
other parties.

A source said: “We did not want a repeat of the
invasion of the Assembly complex by the police. So,
we haveprepared ahead to forestall any attempt to
use the police to force Tambuwal to vacate his seat.
We took pre-emptive measures.

Do you have to beg people to do their job?

Why begging them Is it noT their duty If they are tire of working they should vacate their seats for pple that are ready for d task. Rubbish!!!

Jonathan never thinks whenever he attacks others.

mrborntodoit:
Do you have to beg people to do their job?

U're only nothn bt a slowpoke. Wake up frm ur somber a$$hole!

mrborntodoit:
Do you have to beg people to do their job?

temitemi1:
Why begging them Is it noT their duty If they are tire of working they should vacate their seats for pple that are ready for d task. Rubbish!!!

A little understanding of the underlying issues would have reflected in your responses!

Okonjo Iweala who is one of Nigeria's presidents has more brains under her beautiful modest ankara headtie than the dumbo we call president.

GEJ get sense small. He knows that he is not knowledgeable enough to present the budget and cant defend it.

he also knew that with the stupidity he has displayed, he wouldn't be able to face the lawmakers and passing the bill will be difficult. hence he decided to send a stronger and more intelligent co-president.

good one GEJ

Now we know the identity of one of the co-president of Nigeria.

I guess her name was mentioned as one of the lady-president of Nigeria, GEJ being the weakest among the Famous Five.

"President" Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, 2nd president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was sent by the 1st president, Mama peace to plead on behalf of the 5th president, GEJ.. Interesting.

Mrs President begging on behalf of her subordinate GEJ.

Hope she didnt lie flat on the ground...like those PDP governors who went to visit Baba OBJ.

mrborntodoit:
Do you have to beg people to do their job?

you have to , especially when u are not doing yours.