The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed as empty boast, threat by a handful of opposition members from the House of Representatives to override President Goodluck Jonathan over the signing of the 2013 budget.

The ruling party said the lawmakers were merely playing to the gallery and do not have the muscle to set agenda for the PDP-controlled National Assembly.

Opposition members in the House of Representatives on Thursday rose from a close door meeting threatening to override the President over the budget. The National Assembly is made up of 469 members.

PDP National Publicity Secretary Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement yesterday waved off the threat but added that President Jonathan was taking his time in studying the budget to ensure that the provisions were in the general interest of all Nigerians.

The party said it was clear that the President, in his usual meticulousness and based on the powers conferred on him, is studying the budget to ensure that its provisions were in line with his commitment towards the welfare of Nigerians.

It said that the National Assembly was on the same page with the President adding that it was unpatriotic for the opposition lawmakers to seek to overheat and stampede the system.