Saraki, Dogara update Buhari on NASS activities

The leadership of the National Assembly, led by Senate President Bukola Saraki, on Tuesday briefed President Muhammadu Buhari on the activities of the National Assembly while he was away in London.
Speaking after the closed door meeting with the president, Saraki, who was accompanied by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, said they were delighted that the president was back in his office.
“The president met with us. We were there for over 40 minutes. I was not talking to myself. So, you know he was responding.
“We were engaging. He engaged us very well. We discussed issues of national interest, we are well happy to see him back, he is back at the office, and he is doing his work.
“Budget is ongoing. The economy, things that we passed in his absence including the (Chief Justice of the Nigeria) CJN issue; issue to do with the Eurobond.
“Just general issues that are pending and some other issues like the ambassadorial nominees, stability in the Niger Delta – a lot range of issues we covered in the short period of time,’’ he said.
On the 2017 budget proposal, Saraki said that it would be passed before the end of March.
On December 14, 2016, Buhari presented a budget of N7.30 trillion for 2017 before a joint session of the National Assembly.
Also, Dogara pledged that the National Assembly would continue to collaborate with the presidency to achieve the desired goal of uplifting the quality of life of all Nigerians.
“We expect to cooperate more than we fight in the interest of our people to ensure that there is progress. It is one government, there is no division.
“If he (President Buhari) fails we all failed.
“So, it is in realisation of this that we always extend the needed support to ensure that he succeeds so that our government will be rated as a successful one,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Saraki, on Tuesday, read Buhari’s letter of resumption of duty.
The president wrote: “in compliance with Section 145 of the Constitution, I write to intimate the senate that I have resumed my functions as President of Nigeria with effect from Monday, March 13, after my vacation.
“Please accept, Distinguished Senate President, the assurances of my highest considerations.”
Buhari had proceeded on medical vacation to the UK on Jan. 19 and  wrote to the Senate that he would take 10 days as part of his annual leave.
He said that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, would act on his behalf as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The president later wrote asking for an extension of the vacation to enable him to undergo more medical tests.
The president returned on Friday, March 10 and has since received briefing from the vice-president.