Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has made it clear that it is not in the character of the Executive arm of the government to engage in exchange of words with the legislature.
According to him, presentation of the national budgetary appropriation bill to the National Assembly, as President Muhammadu Buhari had done on Wednesday, is a constitutional matter which has been accomplished, saying that how that legislature reacts to it has nothing to do with the Executive.
Speaking to news men today after presenting a portrait of President Muhammadu Buhari in five major Nigeria attires; one is in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Efik and one in suit, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Lai Mohammed said: ”it is not the practice of the executive to be exchanging words with the legislative arm of government.
“They are independent, we are independent but to the best of our knowledge, we presented a budget given the circumstances of our resources this year, we feel that is the best we can. It is left for the National Assembly to consider it. “
The minister expressed confident that the labour unions in the country, whose members he described as patriotic, “will not do anything that will embarrass the government or do anything that is going to worsen the situation.”
He advocated continuous engagement, which he said is the key, adding “we will continue to engage them and I think they do also fully understand what the challenges are. And both parties are determined to ensure that a common ground is arrived at which it will be comfortable for all.”
Lai Mohammed insisted that Buhari government has been able to meet all the promises and obligations he, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to Nigerians.
“And as the year rolls out, we are more determined to even deliver more to Nigerians. I wish to use this opportunity to wish everybody merry Christmas and a happy new year.”
