Former Senator begs Senate to overlook Presidency mistakes on the budget and accept supplementary Inbox

A former member of the Senate, Mr Ayo Arise has subscribed to the proposition by the Senate that the political logjam between the senate and the presidency could be resolved through the presentation of supplementary budget by President Buhari, saying this could help in resolving the bedlam if there is sincerity of purpose.

Arise, former Chairman, Senate Committee on Privatization between 2007 and 2011 , who spoke in his Oye Ekiti countryhome on Wednesday, pleaded with the National Assembly to overlook the mistakes in the contents of the budget and think more about  the interest of Nigerians.

According to him, “During my time at the Senate, a scenario like this happened under the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. But we sat down and asked Mr President to send a supplementary budget to capture areas left out and that settled the matter. This could be a way out but it has to be by sincerity”.

Arise who urged the lawmakers  to accept the proposal for the construction of Calabar-Lagos rail-line in the  budget, noted that rejecting such a strategic  project that could help in provision of employment and further strengthening the economy, could be misinterpreted to mean attempt to impose more sufferings on Nigerians.

“The issue of whether the Calabar-Lagos and Lagos –Kano rail lines were contained in the original budget is not the issue, but what Nigerians wanted. The projects will provide employment and  help to strengthen the economy, aside from the fact that they are dearing to the President Buhari’s heart.

“So, the executive and the legislative  arms must find a middle course for the settlement of the crisis. The National Assembly has the powers to move money from one aspect of a budgetary proposal to another, but they need to be aware of the fact that that may not be the priority of
the executive.

“That is why they have to sit down and talk. The issue is not beyond resolution, if truly they were voted  to defend the wellbeing of the commoners”.

On the trial of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Arise said the option of resignation being mooted  could help , if this will prevent the number one Senator from going to jail.

Speaking on the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti state, the All Progressives Congress (APC)  chieftain who insisted that the election will be won by his party, hinted that the party is working assiduously to reunite to be able to form a formidable force against to over power from Governor Ayo Fayose, saying “Ekiti people would reject Fayose and whoever he might present as his candidates in any future election in the state

“All the leaders in the party, particularly the three major ones , Niyi Adebayo, Kayode Fayemi and Segun Oni have their cult-like supporters, so there is tendency that members may have divided
loyalty. But the party has set up a unity committee to prevent such.

“Part of the terms of reference of the committee is to oversee the party and ensure that every member sees the party as being supreme. If we can ensure this, APC will take over Ekiti in2018” he said.