By Victor Udoh – President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday night met behind closed doors with the leadership of the National Assembly (NASS) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the maiden meeting between the president and the NASS leadership was being held at the new Banquet Hall of the villa.
The Agency reliably learnt that the meeting, which was still ongoing as at the time of filing this report, may discuss national issues including the reported submission of ministerial list by the president to the red chamber of the assembly this week.
Sources also hinted that the National Assembly leadership would raise the security challenges posed by the continuous detention of Shiites Leader, El-Zakzaky in the light of the attacks between security agencies and protesting members of Shiites at NASS premises on Wednesday.
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, had on Wednesday at plenary, revealed that President Buhari would submit the list of ministerial nominees for the consideration and approval of the senate before they proceed on recess.
Mr. Lawan was said to have reacted to a point of order by Sen. Bassey Akpan, who expressed fear that the delay in the submission of the list could affect the senators’ holidays.
In attendance at the meeting were the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase.
Also present are Senate Majority Leader; Abdullahi Yahaya, Deputy Majority Leader; Ajayi Boroffice, Chief Whip Orji Uzor Kalu, and Deputy Chief Whip Sabi Abdullahi.
Others are Emmanuel Bwacha, Sen. Minority Whip, Phillip Aduda, Majority Leader Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu, and Deputy Minority Leader Toby Okechukwu,.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole and other presidential aides also attended the meeting.
