Police, DSS, Others Take Over National Assembly As Buhari Presents Final Budget

As President Muhammadu Buhari presents the 2023 budget estimate of N19.76 trillion to a joint session of the Assembly, security men have taken over the main gates to the National Assembly A crop of security agents including the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Sergeant at Arms were seen manning the entrances to the complex.
It was observed that the security men only allow accredited journalists with tags, covering the National Assembly and essential staff of the national assembly to gain entry into the building.
The joint session will begin by 10a.m at the temporary chamber of the House of Representatives.
The letter on budget presentation had earlier been submitted to the office of the Senate President.
It was personally written by him and read in plenary Tuesday by the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan and Speaker of the House Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.
The letter read in part, “This is to inform the House that I will on 10:00 am on Friday, 7th October 2022, formally present the 2023 appropriation bill to a joint session of the National Assembly. Please accept Mr. Speaker the assurances of my highest regards. I look forward to addressing the joint session.”
Shortly after reading the letter, Lawan said Mr President would appear personally to address the joint session of the parliamentarians as against the earlier fears that there might be no space to accommodate the session due to the ongoing renovation.
At the House, Speaker Gbajabiamila said the decision to present the budget Friday was as result of the meeting the leadership held last Friday with minister of finance Zainab Ahmed, with a view for an early presentation.
Today’s ceremony is the final of such official engagements of the President as he quits office next year May.