Senate may summon Fashola over remarks on 2017 Budget

Indications have emerged that the Senate may summon the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), following his comment against members of the National Assembly over power of appropriation on budget.

Though some senators have refrained from making comments on the issue, preferring the Senate to react officially for the purpose of coordination, a ranking senator told The Daily Times on Tuesday night that Fashola would be summoned once the Senate resume from recess.

The senator from the north-east, who sought anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, stated that the Senate after consultation would summon Fashola for clarifications.

According to the Senator, who is also a Committee Chairman, the Senate will not take up issues with Fashola based on newspaper reports, as he claimed that Fashola might have been misquoted.

He said the Senate would like to hear directly from Fashola and possibly rub minds with him on grey areas in the budget, which he alluded to.

He said the Senate was not interested in stocking ember of discord with the Executive arm and the National Assembly, but ensure the resolution of the differences between the two arms in the interest of the country.

But certain senators who were contacted by The Daily Times but refused to speak on the issue include Senators Francis Alimikhena, Emmanuel Paulker, Foster Ogala, Jide Omoworare, Godfrey Akpan Bassey, Duro Faseyi and John Owan Enoh.

The Daily Times further gathered that the Senate spokesman, Senator Abdullahi Sabi, is outside the country and currently in Saudi Arabia for lesser Hajj.

Sabi had earlier issued a statement, insisting that notwithstanding the views canvassed by Fashola, the Senate has the constitutional right to tinker with the national budget.