The frosty relationship between the Executive and Legislature is yet again in the fore over the pronouncement of the President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday on the approval of the release of $1 billion for the procurement of security equipment and arms to be used in the fight against Boko Haram insurgency.
The Senate in a swift reaction on Thursday through the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Ben Murray- Bruce, PDP, Bayelsa East, who said in clear terms that the presidency or the executive has no such powers to approve the release of such a sum of money without the approval of the Senate or the National Assembly.
“It has not been approved, it is simply the choice of words, the presidency or the executive cannot spend a single kobo on such a mission unless the National Assembly approves that,” Senator Bruce said.
“It is only when the Senate or the National Assembly approves that, that the executive can go ahead to spend such money.
“The executive can only recommend and not to approve,” he added.
