The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi

  • No more briefcase farmers, as FG launches farmer data audit – Minister

    No more briefcase farmers, as FG launches farmer data audit – Minister

    The federal government is laying a solid foundation for an agricultural revolution as part of its strategy to tackle food insecurity and unlock rural prosperity, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi has said.

    Speaking at the technical session of the Government-Citizen Engagement interactive forum organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna, the minister said President Bola Tinubu’s administration met a food crisis and responded with bold, data-driven initiatives.

    He noted that the declaration of a state of emergency on food security is still in effect, as the government continues to deploy measures aimed at increasing production, stabilising prices, and improving access to food.

    “Our priority is simple: ramp up production, reduce food prices, and ensure equitable access to support,” he said. “We met a food crisis and responded with data-backed, targeted actions.”

    He said the Agro-Pocket initiative alone cultivated over 133,000 hectares of wheat across 15 states in Northern Nigeria, exceeding the initial target of 130,000 hectares — with Jigawa accounting for over 50,000 hectares.

    According to him, rice farmers have also been supported through a plan targeting 44,500 producers, and this is being backed by robust extension services to address the unacceptable extension-to-farmer ratio of 1 to 25,000.

    Abdullahi said one of the key steps taken is the development of a farmer data audit and registry to eliminate middlemen and “briefcase contractors,” ensuring that real farmers receive government support.

    “We are ensuring that only genuine farmers benefit from government programmes. No more briefcase farmers,” he declared.

    The minister said Tinubu’s administration is also modernising agriculture through mechanisation. He cited the recent launch of 2,000 Belarusian tractors and 9,000 implements by the President as part of efforts to boost productivity across the country.

    On processing and market access, Abdullahi said the Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZ) are being developed to support aggregation and value addition, allowing farmers to earn better prices.

    He added that agricultural research institutions have started releasing new varieties of crops such as maize, rice, cassava, and a tomato strain tolerant to the destructive “tomato Ebola.”

    Read Also: Minister, Chrisland chief urge pupils to be focused, independent

    In the livestock sector, he said, government interventions include the development of grazing reserves, livestock villages, transit shelters, and the ongoing formulation of a national dairy policy.

    He also revealed that three major dams — Nwabi Yashin, Nwape, and Amla — have been completed, unlocking over 2,700 hectares for irrigation, while concessions are underway to deploy off-grid power from mini-hydro dams to farming communities.

    “We are not only responding to today’s needs, we are laying the foundation for future resilience — reclaiming university farmlands, training youth and women, and reforming how we work in agriculture,” he said.

    Abdullahi concluded with a call on Northern leaders and communities to reject impostors who manipulate the system and shortchange real farmers. “We must discredit such people. The time to act is now,” he said.

  • We were all consulted, says Senate spokesman

    The last may not have been heard about the endorsement of Senator Ahmed Lawan for Senate President by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Spokesman for the “Ahmed Lawan for Senate President Group of Senators, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, told reporters in Abuja yesterday that APC senators-elect were carried along in the adoption of Lawan for the position.

    Abdullahi’s explanation contradicted that of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who claimed that the announcement of the adoption of Lawan by the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, came to senators-elect as a shock.

    The party chair announced the party’s position on Monday at a dinner attended by the APC senators-elect with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House.

    Although Abdullahi did not mention Ndume, he was categorical that “it is not good for somebody to peddle lies.”

    He added that when Oshiomhole announced the adoption of Lawan as the party’s choice for the Senate President of the Ninth Senate, the party chairman spoke in the presence of some governors, including those of Oyo, Kebbi and Borno states.

    Abdullahi, who doubles as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media & Public Affairs, quoted Oshiomhole to have appealed to them to support Lawan to avoid the mistake of the past.

    “Immediately he said that, there was instantaneous and spontaneous applause by senators who were there. For somebody to say there was surprise and shock following the announcement, he was economical with the truth. There was no shock, rather there was relief,” Abdullahi said.

    Abdullahi who said that the APC has learnt its lesson from the mistake of 2015 when Dr. Bukola Saraki became the Senate President against the directive of the party, assured that there would be no such crisis this time around.

    According to him, there was no clear directive by the party in 2015, prompting senators to go their different ways in the chamber.

    The APC, he said, has a great role to play in who becomes the Senate President.

    He said: “If the party has promised Nigerians good governance, it is only fair and proper for the party to play some role to deliver that good governance. For me, we have learnt our lessons from whatever happened in 2015.

    “Even when I’m walking on the street, people say please you people should make sure you learn from your past mistakes. As far as I’m concerned, we have unity of purpose.

    “We the senators-elect, we have made a choice. We have the right to say this is who we want. Our choice is Ahmed Lawan. Do you expect that Mr. President and the party should abdicate their responsibility? This is what they accused us of in 2015. Now they have spoken, why are you complaining?”

    He insisted that the announcement by Oshiomhole should have been enough for a genuine party loyalist to drop his ambition and toe party line.

    Abdullahi said there was no doubt that Nigerians would be the best for the emergence of Lawan.

    “It is not good for you to have bills that are not assented to,” he said.

    He said that on the day of inauguration of the Ninth Senate in June, by the grace of God, Ahmed Lawan will be Senate President.

    On alleged winner-take-all posture of the APC, he said that it does not necessarily mean that the party’s senators would take all positions in the Senate.

    The position of the party chairman on the issue, he said, was that the majority would have its way while the minority will have its say but the two must co-exist

    Abdullahi, who said they had been engaging the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators-elect, noted that contrary to insinuation, the PDP senators-elect were not interested in any fight.

    On the slot of Deputy Senate President, he noted that the party has the responsibility to zone positions.

    Abdullahi said: “One thing I know and which is certain is that the party has zoned the Senate President to the Northeast. As for Deputy Senate President, I don’t know; the party will decide. When the party decides, there will be no dissent. If you dissent, it will be like a fly that wants to follow the corpse to the grave.

    “I won’t come here and start boasting about number but I want to tell you that on that very day. The party is responsible for zoning and the senate presidency has been zoned to the Northeast.

    “I don’t have the idea on what the party is doing on the position of deputy senate presidency. The party will ensure that a senator from each of the geopolitical zone benefit from the leadership positions, that is, two presiding officers and the four principal officers.

    Read also: APC: why we picked Lawan for Senate President

    “Let me tell you very clearly that we have been engaging our colleagues in the PDP and I will tell you that majority of them are actually working for us to see that we have a harmonious, rancour-free and non-tumultuous senate.

    “They are right by doing so because they are mandated by their people to come and represent them and to take dividend of democracy home not to take victories of fight on the floor home.

    “Fighting on the floor of the Senate cannot translate to dividends of democracy because the people want to see the roads infrastructure, health facilities and schools that you are able to attract to their constituency.

    “The government that we are going to form is that of the APC and the chief executive will be running the policy of the party. A parliamentarian want his people to benefit from the dividend of democracy have to work with those who are in government.

    “Our colleagues in the PDP are not interested in any fight. We are engaging them and we are talking. They know the truth and I know that we shall work together and succeed together.”

  • ‘No plan to amend Constitution to keep Buhari beyond 2023’

    Spokesman of the Senator Ahmad Lawan for Senate President Group, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Wednesday described as fake news, a story making the rounds that Ahmed Lawan, if elected as Senate President, will amend the constitution to allow President Muhammadu Buhari stay in office beyond 2023.

    Senator Abdullahi, in his reaction to the story, described the story as a desperate plot concocted by “evil and desperate politicians” bent on frustrating the emergence of Senator Lawan as Senate President in the 9th National Assembly.

    Senator Abdullahi said, “This is just a very desperate attempt by detractors and some politicians who want to taint the good image of the Senate Leader, and the future Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan.”

    He added, “When we (Senators) met the President two days ago, he (President) was very emphatic that he has stood for election five times, and this is his last.

    “The President made it clear that he wants to retire quietly to his home, on the basis of which he is going to work very hard these four years since Nigerians have given him this opportunity, to leave a lasting legacy behind.”

    Read also: I got N769.5m from ex-NDDC chief for no contract – Witness

    “The President’s statement clearly shows that he is a full democrat who knows that our constitution only provides for second term which he has gotten, and for which he is grateful to Nigerians.

    “Therefore, to come back to say that Senator Ahmad Lawan will amend the constitution to keep him in office beyond 2023 is just the height of evil thinking and bad politics taken too far.

    “The public should discountenance that and focus on supporting a very genuine and transparent process that will lead to the emergence of our own choice leaders as Senators-elect when the 9th Senate unveils,” Senator Abdullahi added.

  • Senate Presidency: ‘we’re well consulted before endorsement of Lawan’

    The last may not have been heard of the endorsement of Senator Ahmed Lawan for Senate President by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The spokesperson for “Ahmed Lawan for Senate President Group of Senators, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, told reporters in Abuja on Wednesday that APC senators-elect were carried along in the adoption of Lawan for Senate President.

    This is contrary to the position of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume who claimed the announcement of the adoption of Lawan by the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, surprised APC Senators-elect, who attended a dinner meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Although Abdullahi did not mention Ndume, he was categorical that “it is not good for somebody to peddle lies.”

    He added that when Oshiomhole announced the adoption of Lawan as the party’s choice for the Senate President of the ninth Senate, the party chairman spoke in the presence of some governors including those of Oyo, Kebbi and Borno States.

    Read also: We won’t challenge Kano rerun elections, says CUPP

    Abdullahi, who is also Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said Oshiomhole appealed to them to support Lawan to avoid the mistake of the past.

    “Immediately he said that, there was instantaneous and spontaneous applause by senators who were there.

    “For somebody to say there was surprise and shock following the announcement, he was economical with the truth. There was no shock, rather there was relief,” Abdullahi said.

    Abdullahi, who said the APC has learnt its lesson from the mistake of 2015 when Bukola Saraki emerged Senate President against the directive of the party, assured that there would be no such crisis this time around.

    He said that there was no clear directive by the party in 2015 leading senators to go their different ways in the chamber.

    The APC, he said, has a great role to play in who emerges the Senate President.

    According to him: “If the party has promised Nigerians good governance, it is only fair and proper for the party to play some role to deliver that good governance. For me, we have learnt our lessons from whatever happened in 2015.

    “Even when I’m walking on the street people say please you people should make sure you learn from your past mistake. As far as I’m concerned, we have unity of purpose.

    “We the Senators-elect, we have made a choice. We have the right to say this is who we want. Our choice is Ahmed Lawan.

    “Do you expect that Mr. President and the party should abdicate their responsibility? This is what they accused us of in 2015. Now they have spoken, why are you complaining.”

    He insisted the announcement by Oshiomhole should have been enough for a genuine party loyalist to abandon his ambition and toe the line of the party.

    Abdullahi said that there was no doubt that Nigerians would be the best for the emergence of Lawan.

    “It is not good for you to have bills that are not assented to,” he asked.

    He said that on the day of inauguration of the ninth Senate in June, by the grace of God, Ahmed Lawan will be Senate President.

  • Senate faults claim of “insubordination” as cause of rising insecurity

    The Senate Friday said that the National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno, did not mention “insubordination” as the rising cause of insecurity in the country.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, made the clarification in a statement in Abuja.

    Abdullahi said, “The attention of the Senate has been drawn to a front page story in the Vanguard newspaper of June 1, 2018 with the screaming headline “Insubordination, cause of rising insecurity – NSA” which claims to be revealing the discussions the Senate had in executive session with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.).

    Read Also:Insecurity: Senate in closed door meeting with NSA

    “The Senate will want the general public to know that the Vanguard story is a mere fabrication as it does not represent anything discussed in the executive session. None of the claims made in the story occurred during the executive session. Also, the story represents a breach of the privilege of the Senate as an institution and that of its members.

    “The Vanguard story is equally an irresponsible journalism as it seeks to undermine national security and set top officials against each other. Our view is that with the speculative story by the newspaper, the progress the Senate has recorded in finding lasting solutions to the security problems may have suffered a big setback.

    “The Senate has therefore decided to refer the matter to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions for further investigations and appropriate recommendations.

    “The Senate, however, will like to advise the media against undue sensationalisation, exuberance and excitement which tends to undermine national interest and security. We expect that on certain issues, the media should be able to place state security, national interest and the need to respect, dignify and protect the integrity of our public institutions, especially, the security institutions and its operators, above the urge to sell their news.

    “After all, security is everybody’s business and when there are security crises or breaches, nobody, no matter his profession, is exempted from the consequence.”

  • Northern senators sack Adamu over allegation of misuse of N70m

    Northern senators sack Adamu over allegation of misuse of N70m

    …We were told monkeys carted N70m kept at a farm house – Sani

     

    Northern Senators, under the aegis of Northern Senators Forum Wednesday sacked their chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu over allege “financial mismanagement and misadministration.”

    Adamu, a third time Senator and an ally of President Muhammadu Buhari in the Senate, represents Nasarawa West in the upper chamber.

    The senators announced Senator Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto North) as replacement for Adamu.

    A letter addressed to the “The President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria,” and signed by Senator Dino Melaye (Director of Publicity, Northern Senators Forum) detailed reasons for the removal of Adamu.

    The letter was read by Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over Senate plenary Wednesday.

    Entitled “Announcement of removal of Senator Abdullahi Adamu as chairman Northern Senators Forum” the removal letter read in part:

    “This is to inform the Senate that the majority signatories of members of the Northern Senators Forum; we have removed Senator Abdullahi Adamu as chairman of the Northern Senators Forum for financial mismanagement and misadministration. We announce his replacement with Senator Aliyu Wamakko immediately. Find the attached names and signatories of members. Signed, Senator Dino Melaye, Director of Publicity Northern Senators Forum.”

    At a press briefing by Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi in company with Senators Shehu Sani (Kaduna Central) Isah Hamman Misau (Bauchi Central) the drama of Adamu’s removal as Northern Senators Forum further played out.

    Asked to explain the meaning of “financial mismanagement and misadministration” leveled against Adamu, Abdullahi , Sani to threw more light on the allegation.

    The Kaduna Central lawmaker in trademark dramatic fashion said: “Abdullahi Adamu is a distinguished senator and an elder statesman. There are some things that some of my colleagues cannot say but I’m not used to holding back what is the truth.

    “When we resumed as senators, when we assumed office, Senator Ahmed Lawan (Senate Leader) tendered the sum of N70 million to the 8th Senate that is, N70 million was monies gathered by Northern Senators from the 7th Senate. So it was handed over to the 8th senators from Northern Nigeria under the 8th Senate.

    “The rumours going round whether it is true but I believe most of the Senators know is the fact. There were allegations that some monkeys raided the farm house of some of the executives in Northern Senators Forum and carted away some of these monies.

    “I think this country is becoming a huge joke, first of all it was the rodent that drove away the President,  we now have snakes consuming about N36 million, and now you have monkeys carting away N70 million from a farm house.”

    Sani who stressed the necessity for Adamu to speak on the issue said “I support that it is very important that the distinguished senator who is a respected elder statesman should be around to protect and defend his integrity.”

    Also speaking on what informed the removal of Adamu, Melaye said, “All I will just say is simple, that the decision of the majority of the Northern Senators’ Forum is that they want to have a change of leadership.

    “The allegations investigated and found out to be true are that there was financial mismanagement; that monies were spent without consent of members and Excos were not contacted; and that the organisation is becoming moribund and ineffective.

    “We are not doing the things that we are supposed to do and we need to inject some vibrancy into the organisation, and that many positions have been taken without consulting with the Exco and other members of the organisation.”

    Efforts to find out Adamu’s side of the story were unsuccessful.

    He was said to have insisted that the time was not ripe for him to speak on the issue.

    Reporters who trooped to Adamu’s office for his reaction were disappointed as he was quoted to have said that he would speak at the appropriate time.

    A source said that the allegation of financial mismanagement leveled against Adamu may be a smoke screen to cover up the real issue.

    The source recalled that Adamu led nine other senators last Wednesday to oppose the amendment of the Electoral Act which reordered the sequence of elections in the country.

    According to the source “The attack on Adamu is just the beginning. Information available to some of us is that all those who participated in the walk out to address the press on the amendment of the Electoral Act may not escape sanction one way or the other. Recall that Omo-Agege has been referred to the Ethics committee for investigation. His apology may not save him.”

    Also Read: Adamu removed as Senate Northern Forum chair

  • Senate to Nigerians: Judge us by facts, not sentiments

    Senate to Nigerians: Judge us by facts, not sentiments

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has urged Nigerians to judge the Senate by its achievements and facts and not by sentiments or propaganda.

    Speaking in Abuja on Sunday, Senator Abdullahi stated that “given the unprecedented performance of the 8th Senate despite distractions since it was inaugurated on the June 9, 2015, the 8th Senate “remains the highest performing Senate in the history of the country.”

    The plead was contained in a statement released by the Office of the Senate President.

    Abdullahi said, “The facts speak for themselves,” Abdullahi said.

    “This 8th Senate has already passed 128 Bills in 26 months. This is weighed against the 5th Senate that passed 129 bills in four years; the 6th Senate that passed 72 bills in four years and the 7th Senate that passed 128 bills in four years.

    “When it comes to public petitions, in just 26 months, again, we have cleared 82 petitions. This is juxtaposed against the 6th and 7th Senate that cleared only six petitions in four years.”

    Abdullahi was quoted to have also listed “some of the noteworthy achievements of the 8th Senate, highlighting the fact that it had passed several historic Bills that had tripped up previous parliaments like the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB).”

    He said, “This is the same Senate that broke the Petroleum Industry Bill’s jinx in two years. This is also the same chamber that passed a comprehensive Electoral Reform Bill within 18-months of its inauguration.

    “I can keep on listing out our achievements,” the spokesman said, “We also finished the Constitution Review process a full two years before the next election cycle; we have also passed seven economic priority Bills that will create more opportunities for private sector participation in our economy, and put millions of Nigerians back to work.

     “Additionally, let’s not forget the ‘Made in Nigeria’ amendment that we passed with our review of the Public Procurement Act. This amendment will create a myriad of opportunities for Nigerian-owned businesses, by ensuring that they get first-option priority in the government’s procurement process.

    “Moving forward, although we have already passed four anti-corruption Bills to strengthen our nation’s capacity to fight graft, we are still committed to passing as many laws as we need to cut and curb corruption in Nigeria.

    “In this regard, when we hear people judge us by the propaganda of adverse elements in our polity, we would like to ask them to do their research and follow our work themselves, so that they can judge us by facts, not sentiments,” he said.

  • Senate to Osinbajo: Remove Magu now

    Senate to Osinbajo: Remove Magu now

    The Senate on Tuesday demanded that the acting President Yemi Osinbajo must obey the resolutions of the Senate, including the immediate removal of the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu.

    It also suspended all confirmation of appointments until compliance with its resolution.

    Recall that the confirmation of the Chairman of the EFCC, who was appointed in Acting capacity by President Muhammadu Buhari on November 9, 2015, was first rejected by the Senate on December 15, 2017, and has consistently been rejected.

    Upon his appointment, Magu said he was committed to the anti-corruption war, drawing a connection between the economic challenges facing the country and the endemic corruption in the country.

    Similarly, on December 15, the Senate after a lengthy closed session drafted the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, to address journalists and announce the rejection of the Magu’s nomination.

    Abdullahi said Senate’s decision not to confirm Magu was due to unfavourable security reports against his nomination. He, however, did not give details of the security reports that stopped Magu’s confirmation as EFCC chief.

     

     

     

  • Senate welcomes Executive peace initiative

    Senate welcomes Executive peace initiative

    …Says ‘Nothing personal about Magu’s rejection’

     

    The Senate Thursday expressed its readiness to work with the Presidential Committee on Executive-Legislature relations constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, in a statement, described the setting up of the peace committee as a welcome development.

    Entitled “The Executive Peace Initiative is a Welcome Development” Abdullahi said that the Senate in particular and the National Assembly in general, is ready to co-operate with members of the committee to work and resolve grey areas standing on the way of smooth working relationship between the two arms of government.

    It read in part: “We have heard about the initiative by President Muhammadu Buhari in setting up a Presidential Committee on Executive-Legislature Relations to be headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    “This initiative is a welcome development. It is a good step in the right direction. The Senate, in particular, and the National Assembly, in general, is ready to co-operate with the group and work with them to resolve all grey areas standing on way of the smooth working relationship needed to deepen our fledgling democracy and ensure good governance for the benefits of Nigerians.”

    Throwing more light on their understanding of the peace initiative, Abdullahi noted that since a committee had been set up it meant there were some grey areas between the Executive and Legislature hindering cordial relationship between the two arms.

    Asked whether the National Assembly has been officially informed, he said that the leadership of the Senate asked him to react which was indication that Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki must have been communicated.

    He added that when details of the committee are released, they would know the members and the number of National Assembly members that would be constituted to work the committee.

    Asked whether the olive branch by the Executive would make the Senate to soft pedal on the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, Abdullah said that before the Magu issue, the Senate has always worked in the best interest of the country.

    He said, “We have worked to support Mr. President. From what I have seen as somebody speaking for this institution, whatever we do, we put the interest of the country first. There was no personal thing about Magu and the decision we took. Other members of the commission sent to us were screened and confirmed. Senators are just doing their job. There was nothing personal about Magu. Nobody should be happy that presidential aides are quick to abuse senators.”

    On the suspension of the consideration and confirmation of 27 Resident Electoral Commissioners sent to the Senate, Abdullahi said it was informed by the disdain resolutions of the Senate are treated by the Presidency.

    He said, “We passed resolutions, our resolutions are rubbished. If the resolutions are rubbished what are we doing with the consideration of Resident Electoral Commissioners.  If we reject any of them what happens.

    “We therefore mandated the Senate President to convey our worry to Mr. President. We needed a response in order for us to know exactly what we are doing. We did not say we will not confirm the RECs. What we need at this time is understanding of how democracy works. If we do, democracy will work better.”

     

  • Senate confirms Buhari’s vacation extension letter

    Senate confirms Buhari’s vacation extension letter

    The Senate on Tuesday explained President Muhammadu Buhari’s letter extending his medical vacation.

    The upper chamber which formally confirmed receipt of the letter, said President Buhari was constitutionally required to inform the Senate about the extension of his vacation.

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, who spoke at press briefing told reporters that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, received the letter.

    The Senate spokesman, however, refused to say when the letter was received and the date it was written.

    Abdullahi simply said he was briefed on Tuesday to inform Nigerians that President Buhari’s letter extending his vacation had been received and in the custody of the Senate.

    “As you are aware the Senate suspended plenary to carry out one of the most important duties which is the interaction with the MDAs on the 2017 budget and you will recall that before we suspended plenary we received a letter from Mr. President which was dated 18th, January 2017 where he informed the Distinguished Senators that he was proceeding on his vacation for 10 days and this is to meet the constitutional provisions.

    “In the letter he stated very clearly that the vice president will take charge of the running of the country. This is a normal thing and of course based on that timing, Nigerians were expecting the return of Mr. President.

    “Now, we are in receipt of the second letter from Mr. President where he is informing the Senate that he is extending his vacation and this arose because in the first letter he did inform us that he will use that to see his doctors.

    “In this second letter he is informing the Senate that he is extending his vacation because in the cause of that routine medical checkup there were still some tests his doctors still want to run further and so because of that he is extending his stay.”