As the 2016 budget crisis continues to drag on, President Muhammadu Buhari has consulted experienced former legislators on ways to settle the impasse with the National Assembly.

The President, on Monday, met with former Senate President, Ken Nnamani and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bello Masari, behind closed doors.

The 2016 budget has been a thorny issue between the National Assembly and the Presidency since the bill was presented to the legislators, climaxing in Buhari’s refusal to sign the budget into law.

Speaking after the meeting with Buhari, Ken Nnamani stated that he had made suggestions to the President on how to scale the hurdle.

“The issue on budget, well budget is an area where we practice what we call co-management between the National Assembly and the executive branch of government. Both of them co-manage the economy through the budget. Both of them will have to cooperate and collaborate for a proper budget to be passed and once it is passed, it becomes law.”

“So as it stands today the situation is such that the National Assembly has to do what is called introspection, that how did we get to where we are now? The year is running out and we are still talking about 2016 budget, where is the fault from?”

“Wherever it is coming from, both the executive branch and the legislature must find a quick solution to it. It does nobody good to drag it any longer, remember it is an area of co-management. It is not left to the executive alone, it is not left to the National Assembly alone, there has to be collaboration.”

“I think he stands to reason, what I suggested is being studied. I think it is appropriate.”

Mazi Emeka