No coup threat in Nigeria -Bankole
The speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole has declared that he has ''no
knowledge, proof or evidence of a coup threat” in the country.
In a swift reaction to a media report titled “Bankole Confirms Coup Threat”, the speaker's
special adviser on communications Kayode Odunaro described such reports as devilish and
speculative.
He said “with all emphasis that at no point in the session did the Speaker confirm a “Coup
Threat” or plot as speculatively reported in the lead story and we challenge the reporter to
provide proof or name any member or members that confirmed a coup threat.”
Part of the statement reads:
''The news report, which was not attributed to Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, the Speaker of the
House or any named member of the House purports to report the issues discussed in an
executive (close door) session of the House to deliberate on the possibility of discussing the
utterances of Pro. Dora Akunyili, the Minister of Information and a motion relating to the
deployment of troops for the arrival of President Umaru Yar'Adua from Saudi Arabia.
''We state with all emphasis that at no point in the session did the Speaker confirm a “Coup
Threat” or plot as speculatively reported in the lead story and we challenge the reporter to
provide proof or name any member or members that confirmed a coup threat.
Rt. Hon. Bankole has been statemanly in the handling of issues relating to the political
impasse in the country and would not join the bandwagon of those fanning embers of
disunity, instability and discord to achieve their selfish political agenda.
''Rt. Hon. Bankole with his military background believes in the often reiterated commitment of
the military high command to professionalism and subjecting to civil authority in their roles
and functions for peace, progress and unity of the country.
''The Speaker has no knowledge, proof or evidence of a “ Coup Threat” or plot and anyone
alleging such devilish threat to our nascent democracy should be bold to come out to assist
relevant authorities in preventing such an occurrence. There is no truth in the story alleging
that “Bankole confirms coup threat''.