Members of the House of Representatives have begun another cold war with the executive arm as they unanimously rejected the October 4 already fixed by President Goodluck Jonathan for the presentation of 2013 budget.
The lower chamber said it is impracticable for them to accept the 2013 Appropriation bill, while the 2012 was not properly utilized by the federal government.
Additionally, the lawmakers have suspended plenary session for next week in order to allow members of the House to embark on physical inspection of projects in the country.
It will be recalled that the lawmakers had earlier threatened to impeach President Jonathan by the end of September this year, if he failed to implement the 2012 budget fully.
Though, the lawmakers are yet to commence this process of impeachment even as the month of September is almost over, many people believe that the rejection of the 2013 budget by the House clearly shows that all is not well.
The lawmakers faulted the 2013 budget presentation date, when the Speaker, Alhaji Amimu Tambuwal was reading the letter sent by the Presidency to the House.
Reacting to this during the weekly media interaction, Hon. Zakari Mohammed who is the House of Representatives’ spokesman said that the rejection of the budget will never create another war between the Presidency and the lower chamber.
His words, “The question of Mr. President coming to present the budget on 4th is ruled out because by next week we are not going to be available. Also, the MTEF must definitely be looked into first, by law and convention before the budget for the incoming year is considered.
“These are issues of law; it is not about the House trying to flex muscles. Maybe later, a letter of convenient day would be fixed for Mr. President to come and present the budget.
“We are considering an aspect of the 2012 budget and not yet completed, yet another one is coming. 4th October is just not realistic; we are going on an oversight and will be back on 9th,”
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