Rowdy Session At NASS As Buhari Presents 2019 Budget

President Muhammadu Buhari Wednesday presented a budget proposal of N8.83 trillion to a rowdy joint session of the National Assembly.

The entire programme was punctuated with cheers and boos, climaxing with the president having to leave the chamber even before the formal conclusion of the session.

There were also moments of heated verbal exchanges and fisticuffs.

Shortly before the arrival of the president, a lawmaker of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bashir Baballe, snatched a placard from Linus Okorie, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This led to a brawl, which eventually drew the participation of other lawmakers.

Earlier, there had been uncertainty about whether or not the president would present the draft. But at about 11.00 a.m., it became certain he would attend the session.

The realisation forced a sudden change in atmosphere. A number of lawmakers were seen smuggling placards into the chamber.

Thirty minutes into Buhari’s arrival, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo appeared but could not proceed to the venue of the presentation as members of the House of Representatives held a closed-door meeting in an attempt to douse tension.

Stranded alongside some ministers at the lobby, Osinbajo was led to the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Ita Enang, where he waited for some 20 minutes before the chamber was reopened.

The floor became charged as senators walked in, many chanting solidarity songs.

As Buhari entered at exactly 12.30 p.m., he was greeted with protest songs. The drama however intensified as other lawmakers loyal to the president quickly mobilised and began cheering.

The chaos worsened as Buhari began to list some capital projects his government claimed it initiated across the country. Many lawmakers shouted, “No!” “Not correct!” “Propaganda!”

When he mentioned his government’s anti-corruption war, his words were met with shouts of “Liar!” and “Grass cutter!” the latter being a reference to a financial scandal that involved cutting of grass amid allegations the president was shielding the perpetrator.

Embarrassed, the president paused. “May I appeal to senators and honourable members that the world is watching us. We are supposed to be above this,” he said.

He also attracted further verbal attacks when he mentioned his administration’s social intervention programmes like Tradermoni, N’Power and the school feeding initiative.

Some lawmakers shouted: “Vote buying!” “Propaganda!” “Lie!”

The budget proposal is based on the following assumptions: oil price benchmark of USD60; crude oil production of 2.3 mbp; exchange rate N305/USD; real GDP growth of 3.01 per cent; and inflation rate of 9.98 per cent.

The proposal consists of N4.04 trillion for recurrent expenditure and N2.03 trillion for capital development.