Reps threaten to reject Jonathan’s requests

Written by Daily Trust Wednesday, 17 March 2010

ShareThe House of Representatives yesterday threatened to declare Acting President Goodluck Jonathan’s requests “illegal” if he sends such requests late.

The resolution followed the failure of the Acting President to formally request for the approval for the appointment of five Special Advisers from the House of Representatives.

The lawmakers warned that it would no longer such acts from the executive.

Speaking at yesterday’s plenary session, Deputy Speaker Usman Bayero Nafada (PDP, Gombe State), who presided over the session, said the members are not under any obligation to remind the executive of the provisions of the constitution as it relates to requests.

He said: “Henceforth, if they write to the Senate without doing so to the House, we will not remind them. We will not approve and whatever they do there will be illegal.”

“It is obvious that there is a problem on the part of the executive for their failure to send the request to the House of Representatives when they were sending to the Senate but this should be the last time that that the House will remind them of their duties,” he added.

The House  took the decision while adopting the resolutions of a motion moved by Rep Tunde Akogun (PDP, Edo State), who urged the House to approve the appointment, remuneration and allowances of five special advisers for the acting president.

Rep Ita Enang (PDP, Akwa Ibom State) condemned the executive’s habit of leaving the House out on such matters, saying henceforth the mps would not condone them.

In his contribution, Rep Halims Agoda said it was a slight on the House by the presidency to bring such matters late.