Posted by From Funmi Peter-Omale in Abuja on
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Austin Opara has debunked reports that there were impeachment moves against Speaker Aminu Bello Masari.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Austin Opara has debunked reports that there were impeachment moves against Speaker Aminu Bello Masari.
Opara in an interview with newsmen after a closed door meeting with the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party at the party secretariat yesterday, said the meeting was a normal one aimed at fostering a smooth relationship between the party and leaders of the party at different levels.
"The meeting was an interaction between the leadership of the House and party. It's a normal thing, I am sure you are aware that the leadership of the party also met with the leadership of the Senate yesterday and sometime last week met with PDP governors. The meetings are aimed at integrating the leadership at different levels with the activities of the party especially as the party is going into registration of members, party congresses and convention. It will make our party to be stronger.
"We are not aware of any impeachment move. It is not everything that you read in the papers that is right. As far as we are concerned in the House, there is no such move and the speaker is not under any threat.
Certainly not; I don't know if you are disappointed but the Speaker is not under any threat" he said.
Also briefing newsmen after the meeting, Publicity Secretary of the party John Odey also stressed that the issue of impeachment did not crop up in the discussions with the law makers who were led by the speaker who had to leave before the end of the meeting because of pressing national issues.
Odey disclosed that, "the issue of impeachment has not been brought to the notice of the party even as he said the 2005 Appropriation Bill did not also crop up.â??
In a press statement issued at the end of the meeting and read by Odey to pressmen, the meeting was a maiden session between the PDP and leadership of the House of Representatives.
According to the statement, the Chairman Senator Ahmadu Ali noted that the interaction was necessary to ensure a smooth working relationship between the party and the legislature.
The House leaders were briefed on the arrangement for new party registration exercise for members even as it was announced that committees will be set up to monitor the registartion exercise in alol the states of the federation.
Odey disclosed that the Secretariat had started receiving some materials for the registration adding that more materials were being awaited after which the exercise will begin.
The House of Representatives delegation was led by the Speaker and other Principal leaders including, Hon Bawa Abubakar Bwari Chief Whip, Hon Chief MAO Ohunbunwha and Hon Prince Gilbert Nnaji.