SAN FRANCISCO, December 19, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari is currently presenting the 2019 budget proposal to the National Assembly amid cheers and jeers by the lawmakers.
Wednesday’s budget presentation is markedly different from previous ones as it started with a rowdy session and the President’s speech is being repeatedly interrupted by cheers and jears.
The President and members of his cabinet arrived at the National Assembly complex at about 12:40 pm
amid a rowdy session in which lawmakers could be heard jeering and cheering loudly.
While his supporters praised him, opposition lawmakers booed him and sang freedom songs.
After pausing for the National Anthem, the chamber became rowdy again as several lawmakers began booing him.
It took the intervention of the Senate President before the session began. But the situation is being repeated throughout the President’s speech.
Ahead of his arrival, men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) were ensuring all security measures were in place in and around the complex.
Also on ground to give security support are the Presidential Guards Brigade, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), among others.
Noticeably absent were the workers at the National Assembly, under the auspices of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria, who had crippled business and legislative activities as part of their four-day warning strike.
The workers, who barricaded the entrances to the National Assembly on Monday, and had earlier picketed the chambers, were still at the main entrance to the premises as of 8am, had resolved to stay away from the premises pending the time the budget presentation would last.
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