Enough is Enough

The reported suspension today of eleven members of the House of Representatives by the leadership of the House for accusing the leadership of profligacy in the management and spending of public funds is the height of misuse of power, abuse of power and abuse of position by the leadership of the House of Representatives. The resultant breakdown of law and order on the floor of the House leading to injuries, assault and damage to properties is a direct result of the loss of moral and political authority of the leadership of the House of Representatives. When I raised these allegations some time ago, they thought they could bury them. Now I have been vindicated.

The lackluster attitude of government to probing these allegations since I raised them is also a very, very sad commentary on the lack of preparedness of President Jonathan to fight corruption, no matter whose ox is gored. The protection that has been offered to dubious characters in government who have been clearly indicted by law enforcement agencies for fraud and forgery of certificates, in form of unexplained withdrawal of charges, provision of soft landing for accused persons, refusal to approve reports of law enforcement agencies sent to the Presidency e.t.c., is what has emboldened such characters as those in leadership positions in the House of Representatives to summon the effrontery and impudence to suspend those who have accused them of corruption.

If the slogan of the anti-corruption war is to “see something and say something”, how come those who “say something” when they “see something” get punished in this crude manner? What is the fate of the anti-corruption war when whistleblowers are subjected to indignities and name-calling? I am sad, very sad indeed, that we have sunk to this low state of moral debauchery. The obvious silence of the Presidency over the earlier report of the 2.3billion naira car scam that was reportedly sent to it for “consideration” is what has led to this present display of crass arrogance and impudent show of power by the leadership of the House of Representatives in suspending and assaulting members who have raised their voices against corruption and corrupt practices.

I condemn this totally and entirely and call on President Jonathan to immediately release the report of the 2.3billion naira car scam reportedly sent to the Presidency so as not to constitute a cog in the will of the anti-corruption crusade himself. I also call on Nigerians to speak out with one voice and rise against this extreme injustice in the House of Representatives.

Reps in turmoil as members of the Progressives are suspended - www.234next.com

The House of Representatives session erupted into a free for all today, with at least one member injured, as 11 members of the Progressive Group, calling for the removal of the Speaker, Dimeji Bankole, were suspended till the end of the legislative session.

The 11 members are demanding for investigation into allegations of corruption against its leadership. They were suspended after a motion was moved by Chile Igbauwa (PDP, Benue) and seconded by Shehu Garba Matazu (PDP, Katsina). They are also to be investigated by Ethics and Privileges Committee and will remain suspended until the investigation is concluded. The 11 members will also not collect salaries and allowances throughout the period of suspension.

Moving the suspension motion, Mr. Igbauwa relied on Order 5 (1) Sub-rules 2 and 3 of the House Rules, Order 7 sub rules 3B, C and D, Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 24 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, while moving his motion.

The suspension was preceded by rowdiness after the insistence from the Progressive Group members that Mr. Igbauwa should not proceed with the motion. In the melee that ensued, members of the Progessive Group that included Dino Melaye, Austin Nwachukwu, Bitrus Kaze, Solomon Awhinawhi, and Doris Uboh were bundled out of the chamber by the Speaker’s loyalists, who also tore their clothes. It was not clear if three other members who were originally part of the group when it gave the seven days ultimatum to resign two weeks ago, would be suspended.

House of commotion

The media aide to the Speaker, Kayode Odunaro, in a statement describing the fracas, alleged that “the rowdy session was instigated by Dino melaye and his group.” Mr. Odunaro also alleged that a member of the group, which he referred to as the ‘Dino group’, came into the chambers with tear gas that “he was using during the fracas and was beaten and stripped naked before camera for refusing to leave the chamber after suspension.”

He added that Mr. Dino’s clothes was equally torn while a supporter of the Speaker, Mr. Igwe, had his hand dislocated by a member of the group identified as Mr. Nwanchukwu, after using a tear gas canister on him. The statement also revealed that Doris Uboh, a member of the Dino group, “collapsed in the fray and was carried out, while Independence Ogunewe escaped through the back door to escape beating”, the statement read.

The House, however, resumed after order was restored to consider a bill on custom after Mr. Bankole apologised to Nigerians for the action of some of his members.