Reps deny alleged plot to impeach Jonathan
The House of Representatives Tuesday debunked claims that there has been an alleged plot in the parliament to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Goodluck Jonathan over the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Abdulrahman Kawu (APC/Kano), in a statement said that the House as an institution, was not prepared to take any action against Jonathan because the crisis in the PDP was an internal affair of the ruling party.
Kawu said those that individual advocating for the impeachment of the President were only trying to drag the House into the crisis in the PDP but assured that the lower chamber of the National Assembly would resist the temptation.
The House, he said, would remain united and committed to its legislative agenda whose pillars were deeply rooted in the well being of the people and the development of the country.
Kawu stated that those peddling the rumour of a looming impeachment to leave the House alone.
'Impeachment of the president is not on our agenda as a parliament and as such it is a figment of anybody’s imagination to suggest anything like that. “Those spreading the falsehood are doing so for personal benefits and to maximise their political gains with their masters. The House is a symbol of Nigeria because of its broad representation of every constituency in Nigeria and that is why we are working together to salvage the country.
'I wish to state here that the House of Representatives is one and indivisible body of 360 members who are committed to the development, political stability and progress of Nigeria.
'We will never shy away from those things that will bring happiness to all Nigerians.
'We are, however, using this opportunity to call on those people who may want to use the crisis in the PDP to foment trouble in the House to stay away from the House. We won’t allow anybody to divide us.
'It is obvious that some people are very jittery over the mass movement of PDP members to the New PDP and even other political parties and in their desperate attempts to cause trouble and confusion they may want to capitalise on the crisis to foment trouble in the House,' he said.
Kawu explained that on their resumption from their annual recess, the House would continue with its normal legislative duties rather than succumbing to the distraction of dabbling into the internal conflict plaguing the ruling party.
He urged the Jonathan administration to concentrate on alleviating the sufferings of the citizenry instead of indulging in the current fight with its members.
According to him, the emergence of the New PDP was a positive development as it would strengthen and deepen democracy in Nigeria.