Reps pass vote of confidence in Tambuwal

Posted by admin House, Legislature Wednesday, January 16th, 2013

Members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a unanimous vote of confidence in the Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, as they reconvened after Christmas break.

Lawmakers also gave the Speaker a standing ovation, amid speculation of alleged plot to impeach him.

Some media reports (not The PUNCH) claimed on Wednesday that a group, Transparency Network, had been sponsored to remove Tambuwal.

The bone of contention was said to be the 400 Toyota Camry purchased for the House in 2012.

It was alleged that the group claimed the process for procuring the vehicles was not transparent, blaming Tambuwal.

But, as the House resumed sitting, nobody stood up to identify himself as being part of the plot or held any grudges against the Speaker.

However, raising a point of privilege, Chairman, House Committee on Works, Mr. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi (PDP, Enugu State), labelled those behind the alleged plot “dreamers”.

Ozomgbachi said the development was an attempt to distract the House and break the ranks of members.

He recalled that the House discussed the purchase of the cars “not less than three times last year and we resolved that the management of the National Assembly should handle it”.

He said the crisis the purchase of Peugeot 407 generated in 2008 was still fresh in the minds of members.

He said, “Any member with a grudge should have come to the floor to raise it instead of hiding behind the scenes.”

Another member, Mr. Rasak Bello-Osagie (ACN, Edo State), expressed his surprise that the House was giving attention to the issue at a time it had matters like the Petroleum Industry Bill and the review of the 1999 Constitution to contend with.

He said, “This is the most profound evidence of distraction we have seen in this House.

“I want to move for a vote of confidence to be passed in Mr. Speaker and the leadership of the House.”

The motion was seconded by Mrs. Nkiruka Onyejeocha (PDP, Abia State), who added that there was “no way this Speaker will be impeached before 2015″.

Members voted unanimously for the motion without a dissenting voice.

Some lawmakers from Borno State also shouted, “not from Borno”, “not from Borno” in an apparent denial of the rumour that a member from the state was spearheading the alleged plot to impeach the Speaker.

Tambuwal said he was saddened by the development.

He said he was saddened not because he was target of the plotters, but because he saw in the plot, an attempt to rubbish the work the 360 members of the House had been doing since 2011.

He added, “Unfortunately, no names were mentioned (as members of Transparency Network).

“I want to assume that somebody from outside and not a member of the House will raise any of the issues mentioned in the publication.
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