Reps threaten to impeach Jonathan over poor budget

Posted by admin House, Legislature Saturday, July 21st, 2012

Members of the House of Representatives have taken
a swipe at President Goodluck Jonathan over his
failure to implement the 2012 N4.886 trillion budget.

To this extent, the lawmakers threatened to
commence the process of impeachment as from 18th
September 2012 deadline if the president and his
ministers fail to ensure full implementation of the
2012 Appropriation Act as signed into law.

The Lower House also tasked Presidency to
personally ensure compliance by the coordinating
minister for the economy and finance minister, Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala by ensuring immediate release of all
the funds appropriated for various ministries,
departments and agencies (MDAs) for the first and
second quarter respectively.

The lawmakers who expressed these concerns cut
across all political parties.

In his lead debate, chairman House Committee on
Rules and Business, Sam Tsokwa, who expressed
concerns over about N200 billion released by Federal
Ministry of Finance for execution of capital projects
out of N1.5 trillion allocated in the Appropriation Act
assented to by the Presidency.

In his contribution, the minority leader, Femi
Gbajabiamila described the action of the Executive as
a “gross violation” of the Appropriation Act, adding
that it was an impeachable offence.

He said “If by September 18, the budget performance
has not improved to 100%, we shall draw up articles
of impeachment against Mr. President,” a proposal
that was overwhelmingly agreed to by the Lawmakers
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