by Azeez Adeniyi

The committee set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure peace between the Senate and the executive has yet to be given its terms of reference, Punch reports.

The committee headed by vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has all ministers who are former members of the National Assembly, the president’s liaison officers in the National Assembly and all ministers who have personal relationship with the lawmakers as members.

A source said the delay was as a result of the absence of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who is out of the country.

[Read Also: Buhari sets up committee to handle executive-legislature rift]

The source said, “You will recall that this committee was set up only on Wednesday. Later on the same day, the Vice-President who chairs the committee travelled out of the country.

“He is still out of the country as we speak now. So we have not been given the terms of reference.

“Hopefully when he is back, things will begin to take shape from next week.”

Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, said the committee will resolve the rift between both arms of government.

He said it was within the powers of the lawmakers to ask questions while it was also within the powers of the executive to explain its position on issues.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Sabi Abdullahi also said the Senate had not gotten any official communication from the committee.

He said, “After I spoke to you (on Thursday over Senate’s decision to accept Executive’s peace moves), I have not had any contact with anybody on what is going to happen.

“What is important is that we are ready for peace. We don’t say we have conditions before the peace. Peace should be peace. Whatever it is, I know that the primary goal is that we should have a smooth relationship.”