2013 Budget: Jonathan, N’Assembly Leaders Meet

President Goodluck Jonathan and leaders of the two arms of the National Assembly yesterday entered into a closed door meeting which lasted for over two hours at the Presidential Villa.

Although details of the meeting was not disclosed, LEADERSHIP WEEKEND gathered that the meeting bordered on the yet-to-be signed 2013 budget.

Senate President David Mark; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and the deputy speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, were at the meeting. But the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwwal, was absent.
Vice President Namadi Sambo also attended the meeting.

After the meeting, Mark refused to grant an interview with State House correspondents. As he was approaching his car, he made some gesture, asking the reporters to ambush Ekweremadu and Ihediora, who hurriedly dashed into their respective vehicles.

Even accusation by the reporters that on several occasions, the Senate president had been economical with information after such meetings with the president, Mark simply laughed and said, “When next I come here, I promise to deal with you directly. This is a promise from me.”