President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday held a closed-door meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
At the meeting, held at the State House, Abuja, the leaders discussed the controversial cashless policy recently put in place by the Central Bank of Nigeria led by Godwin Emefiele.
Apart from the discussion on the cashless policy, the leaders also discussed issues related to the 2023 general elections, Mr Gbajabiamila told journalists.
“…there were issues around cashless policy, issues around elections and violence that seem to be erupting here and there are a couple of other very important matters as well,” he said.
Tuesday’s meeting was held on the same day Mr Emefiele, again, refused to honour an invitation by the House of Representatives over the new cashless policy which, among others, seeks to limit cash withdrawals by individuals to N20,000 a day.
The CBN chief wrote to the lawmakers, saying he was out of the country and could not honour their invitation.
Mr Emefiele has been directed to appear before the House on Thursday or send a representative, not below the rank of a deputy governor. Also, the lower chamber had earlier directed the bank to suspend the policy.
Stamp Duty: Gudaji is on his own
While responding to questions on the allegations made by a lawmaker, Kazaure Gudaji (ADC, Jigawa) that over N89 trillion generated from stamp duties was mismanaged, Mr Gbajabiamila said the Jigawa State lawmaker is acting on his own.
A week ago, Mr Gudaji, Secretary to the dissolved Presidential Committee on Reconciliation and Recovery of Stamp Duties Revenue, alleged that some officials around the presidency are making attempts to scuttle the work of his committee.
Although, the presidency, in a statement via presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu debunked the allegations, the lawmaker has not relented in pushing his claims.
Mr Gbajabiamila said since the decision to embark on the investigation did not emanate from the House, the lawmakers will not intervene.
He added that unless the integrity of the House, individual lawmakers or the leadership is impugned, the House will not step in.
“It was not based on a resolution of the National Assembly. It was not based on a motion from the National Assembly.
I believe he said he had the executive authority to do what he’s doing. If that would be the case, I mean, then it’s got nothing to do with the National Assembly.
“Well, the House can only call Kazure to order to the extent that it is impugning on the integrity of the House or individuals or leadership of the House that have nothing to do with what he’s doing,” Mr Gbajabiamila insisted when asked if Mr Gudaji would be called to order.
He explained further, “I think it’s important to separate the two. If he has the mandate to do something, that’s on him.
When it came up, we asked members of the executive they said they were not aware of any mandate or such mandate has been withdrawn. I don’t want to get into it.
I don’t want to get into it except to the extent that he tries to impugn the integrity of members of the House. And that’s a no-no, we have nothing to do with this.”
Mr Gbajabiamila also informed journalists that the 2023 budget will be passed by the lawmakers on Thursday before embarking on Christmas break.
The National Assembly and Mr Buhari have less than 11 days to pass and sign the 2023 Appropriation Bill to keep up with the January-December budget cycle.
