Presidential Media Chat: Rep accuses Buhari of starting media war

The House Minority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, said the House of Representatives would meet with the President, to clear issues.

The comment by President Buhari about the alleged plan by the National Assembly to buy cars worth N47.5b is still causing a stir.

During the Presidential media chat, Buhari said “N47.5bn for vehicles for the National Assembly members? I think I will explore the possibility of that power. If I can turn down N400m for vehicles in the Presidency, I think we don’t need new cars; we can manage the old ones because of the economy.”

Adding that the Senators had earlier collected N100b as car allowance.

According to Punch Newspapers, the House Minority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, said the House of Representatives would meet with the President, to clear issues.

He also said the Buhari has started a media war with the National Assembly, adding that the he misled Nigerians.

Ogor said “There is no meeting fixed that I am aware of for now.

“But, as a House, we welcome discussions with Mr. President to avoid unnecessary frictions.”

Speaking on the 216 budget, the minority leader of the House, hinted that Mr. President also had questions to answer.

He said “We advise that, in keeping with the principle of separation of powers, he should read sections 4,5,6 and 80 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) jointly for clearer understanding of which arm of government has the power of appropriation.

“All that is contained in the entire budget remains a mere proposal until approved by the National Assembly the way it deems fit.”

Ogor also said “The Presidency proposed to buy cars for almost N3.5bn, there is electrical wiring of almost N300m.”

Adding that “There are so many proposals in the Presidency’s budget that we think should be subjected to thorough discussions. Some of the proposals in the Presidency’s budget may not even stand.

Read: Senators not happy with Buhari over comments on budget for cars

“Where we are not convinced, we will remove and take some sub-heads to areas we think they are needed.”

President Buhari held his maiden media chat on Wednesday, December 30, 2015.

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