TheCable

Senate President Bukola Saraki says his London visit to President Muhammadu Buhari alongside Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the house of representatives, was a “meeting of substance”.

Saraki and Dogara on Thursday visited the president in the UK where he is receiving medical attention.

In a series of tweets, Saraki said they discussed the virement request Acting President Yemi Osinbajo made to the national assembly on the 2017 budget.

Osinbajo had asked the lawmakers to re-allocate N135bn in the budget.

Saraki also said Buhari exhibited “remarkable” recovery and was up to date with political events in the country.

He said they also discussed preparations for the 2018 budget to aid its early passage.

“Mr. President exhibited remarkable recovery and was very conversant with all the political happenings back at home and across the continent,” Saraki wrote.

“It was a meeting of substance where we discussed important matters of state. We also discussed the 2017 budget.

“In particular, we talked about the virement request by the Presidency which is before the National Assembly.

“We then considered the steps to be taken in the preparation of the 2018 budget to ensure its early passage.

“International issues were also discussed and Mr. President informed us that he has conveyed his sympathies to the people of Sierra Leone.”

While thanking God for the Buhari’s recovery, Saraki said he is looking forward to the president’s imminent return.

“It is clear that Mr. President’s insistence on following his doctors’ advice has yielded the desired results,” he also wrote.

“I therefore confidently look forward to Mr. President’s imminent return home.”

Mr. President exhibited remarkable recovery and was very conversant with all the political happenings back at home and across the continent.

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— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) August 17, 2017

It was a meeting of substance where we discussed important matters of state. We also discussed the 2017 budget.

— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) August 17, 2017

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In particular, we talked about the Virement request by the Presidency which is before the National Assembly.

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— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) August 17, 2017

We then considered the steps to be taken in the preparation of the 2018 budget to ensure its early passage.

— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) August 17, 2017

I therefore confidently look forward to Mr. President's imminent return home.

— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) August 17, 2017