The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal on Wednesday skipped a meeting between President Goodluck Jonathan, the leadership of the National Assembly and members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party National Working Committee.
Up to the time that the President arrived at the venue of the meeting which was held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja at about 9pm, none of the leaders of the House of Representatives being expected had shown up.
However, Senate President David Mark; his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba; and Senator Hosea Agboola were there.
Shortly after the President entered to signal the commencement of the meeting, his Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Joy Emordi, came out and made frantic telephone calls.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Emeka Ihediora, later arrived the premises and Emordi led him inside and some minutes later, returned outside to resume her frantic calls.
The NWC of the PDP was led by the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and had Deputy National Chairman, Sam Jaja; National Women Leader, Kema Chikwe and National Publicity Secretary, Olisah Metuh in attendance.
On the President’s team were Vice President Namadi Sambo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim; Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhle and the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak.
The agenda of the meeting was not made public, but inside sources said issues bothering on the differences between the Executive and the Legislature on the yet-to-be signed 2013 budget would be addressed at the meeting.