COUP THREAT: BANKOLE REFUTES MEDIA REPORT

Coup threat: Bankole refutes media report
By NDUBUISI ORJI
Thursday, March 04 , 2010


Bankole

The Speaker, House of Representative, Hon Dimeji Bankole, has refuted a media report that he confirmed a coup threat in the country. A press statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Communication, Chief Kayode Odunaro JP, said the news report which purports to report deliberations at the executive session of the House was neither attributed to the speaker nor any member of the House.

'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

'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 Prof. 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,' the statement read in part.

It said Bankole owing to his military background believes in the commitment of military to professionalism and surbordination to civil authority in their role in ensuing peace, progress and unity of the country.

Besides, it said the speaker has been 'state manly 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.

' 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'. We have no record of such confirmation,' it summed up.