President Muhammadu Buhari is in a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, The Eagle Online can report.
The meeting started at exactly 9.15pm when the President entered the conference room of the First Lady Wing, venue of the meeting.
Attending the crucial meeting on the side of the Presidency are the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Bubachir David Lawal.
On the side of the National Assembly are the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; the Deputy Speaker, Hon Yusuf Suleiman Lasun; the Senate Leader, Ali Ndume; the Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio; and the Deputy Majority Leader, Bala Ibn Na’alla.
The presence of Akpabio, the only senator elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, suggested that the focus might be on how to ensure smooth screening and subsequent confirmation of the President’s ministerial nominees without impediment from PDP senators.
On Tuesday, Saraki read out the first batch of ministerial nominees comprising 21 names at plenary.
Already, there are petitions against some of the nominees, especially former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
As at press time, the meeting was still ongoing and it was not clear if the ongoing trial of Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal would be discussed.
It will be recalled that the House of Representatives last week mandated the Speaker to interface with the President on the Saraki issue.
Saraki is facing a 13-count charge bordering on alleged false declaration of assets.
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