PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu said that the integrity of the National Assembly remains intact and that his administration would always encourage cooperation for the advancement of the country.
Speaking when he hosted the Senate to the breaking of Ramadan fast at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu, speaking on the budget padding allegation, stated: “I know the arithmetic of the budget and the numbers that I brought to the National Assembly, and I know what numbers came back.
“I appreciate all of you for the expeditious handling of the budget. Thank you very much.
“Those who are talking about malicious embellishment in the budget did not understand the arithmetic and did not refer to the baseline of what I brought. But your integrity is intact.
“I am grateful for what you have been doing. The natural challenge we are facing will be over.”
On the current economic challenges, he said: “We are about turning the corner. Our revenue has improved. All we have to do is to control expenditure and manage ourselves better.”
Tinubu thanked members of the National Assembly for the speedy attention given to the Student Loan Amendment Bill, calling for more tolerance, forgiveness and charity during Ramadan.
In his remarks, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, thanked the President for hosting the lawmakers, saying regular interactions would enhance understanding and productive governance.
“We bring you greetings from the 10th Senate. We bring you assurances of continuous collaboration.”
Akpabio said that with a President, his vice and chief of staff having been members of the National Assembly, the legislature has no option than to give the executive full cooperation to succeed.
