A top government official, who confided in our correspondent, said there were plans by 69 members of the National Assembly to humiliate the President at the session.
The source said: "Based on security reports, the President decided to shelve a formal announcement of the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.
"It was not a question of ambush but the presidency chose to avoid the issue during the presentation to avoid generating heated argument at the session.
"We have reports that some members were mobilized to start shouting down the President once he announces the withdarawal of fuel subsidy. So, we designed a way out.
"About 69 of some of these bad elements were mobilized to embarrass the President. And if that happened, the image of the nation will be rubbished before the international community. The boos and jeers will also overshadow the budget presentation.
"To beat them to their game, the President was silent on it. It was a case of being proactive.
"Do not forget that some members of the National Assembly had attempted to humiliate the President."
There were feelers that the House of Representatives may overrule the presidency on the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.
The House is poised to restore fuel subsidy in the interest of the masses.
Investigation by our correspondent however revealed that most members of the House were caught unawares by the ambush tactics adopted by the President.
It was also learnt that many of the Representatives are angry that the President opted for Executive Fiat contrary to the advice given him by the National Assembly.
Culled fron Nation
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