ABUJA – Respite appears on the threshold of peaceful reconciliation between leadership of the National Assembly and the executive as President Muhammadu Buhari met with former leaders of the National Assembly behind closed doors at the Aso Villa yesterday.
Although the visitors came and left at difrent intervals, it was not certain if the four former NASS leaders met with the President collectively or separately.
The visitors included two former Presidents of the Senate, Sen. Ken Nnamani (2004 – 2007) and Sen. David Mark (2007 – 20015), and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Gov. Aminu Masari of Katsina State.
Gov. Masari and Sen. Nnamani arrived at the Villa, the same time, while, Sen. Mark and Sen. Ita Enang – the immediate past Chairman of Senate Committee on Business and Rules, and current Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate) – came in few minutes later.
Sen. Nnamani and Masari reportedly exited the Villa through the Service Chiefs’ Gate after the meeting, while Sen. Mark who left after spending about 40 minutes in the President’s office also did not talk to State House Correspondents
As of the time of filing this report, no statement had been issued on the meetings.
Yesterday was the first time Mark who belongs to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party was visiting the Presidential Villa since the inception of the present administration.
He was reported to have played a key role in dousing the tension said to have been generated during the executive session of the Senate last week.
Unconfirmed reports said the meetings of the former presiding officers of the National Assembly with the President were not unconnected with moves to end the current animosity between the Executive and Legislature.
There has been a face-off between the two arms of government since court cases were instituted against the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki.
Saraki is currently standing trial before the Code of Conduct Tribunal for alleged false declaration of assets.
Lately, he and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, were also dragged to court for alleged forgery of the Senate Standing Rule.
