Dino Melaye barred from National Assembly as Lamido insists Nigeria faces a National Debt Crisis

Dino Melaye, the leader of the five progressives in the House of Representatives whose suspension was voided by an Abuja High Court last week was refused entry into the National Assembly this morning. The offices of the Kogi State lawmaker and those of his colleagues have also been allocated to other legislators. Attempt by Dino yesterday to eject the new occupant of his office, Buba Jubril was not successful.

This came on the heels of the insistence of Finanace Minister, Sanusi Lamido, that a national debt crisis looms, unless Nigeria checks its fiscal recklessness. Lamido who spoke when he met with members of the House of Representatives today in Abuja, maintained that the way the National Assembly spends cash could wreck the economy.

He had taken swipes at the National Assembly few days ago when he asserted that the legislators take a huge chunk of 25 per cent of the nation's recurrent portfolio. Shortly after, the senate summoned him, but Lamido insisted he did nothing wrong and owes no one any apologies.

According to him” we borrow for a 20 year term, and spend it in 2 days”

The House of Representatives' member who arrived at the gate of the National Assembly around 10 a.m. was barred from entering the National Assembly as the gate to the sprawling complex was locked against him. Dino however left and according to reports briefly blocked the entrance to the lawmaking building with some vehicles later.

There were reports that he may have been arrested by the Police, though this cannot be confirmed as at the time of writing this story.

 
It will be recalled that the leadership of the House of Representatives had filed an appeal against last week's judgment which was in favour of Dino and his group.

The offices of the Kogi State lawmaker and those of his colleagues have also been allocated to other legislators. Attempt by Dino yesterday to eject the new occupant of his office, Buba Jubril was not successful.

Dino and members of his group were suspended following the fracas that broke out on June 22 over allegations by the Progressives that the Dimeji Bankole-led leadership of the House of Representatives mismanaged N9 billion capital vote.

 


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