The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has disputed media speculation quoting him as saying ”we don’t know who will sign the 2017 budget.”
”This quote is a malicious misrepresentation of what transpired at the post-Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting press briefing,” the Minister declared in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Segun Adeyemi. on Wednesday.
The Information Minister explained that when he was asked a question relating to the signing of the 2017 Budget, his response was: ”when it is transmitted to the Presidency, the issue will be addressed.”
”Anything beyond that response amounts to deliberate mischief and should be ignored,” he said.
Speculations
Both the upper and the lower chambers of the National Assembly passed the 2017 Budget after series of controversies but there have been fears raised by many that some cabals in the presidency will not allow the acting president, Yemi Osinbajo, sign it into law.
Osinbajo is constitutionally empowered to sign the budget into law after ailing President Muhammadu Buhari handed over power to him in an acting capacity.
It was reported that President Buhari transmitted a letter to the National Assembly to inform the House of his journey to the United Kingdom for a medical vacation which automatically put executive powers in the hands of Osinbajo, according to section 145 of the 1999 constitution as amended.
