By Ayo Kehinde
The row over call by a Representative to impeach President Buhari for refusal to honour the House’s summons over worsening insecurity in the country, took a turn on Monday with Majority Leader, Aminu Dogowa threatening sanctions.
Leader of the House Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party, PPD, Kingsley Chinda, had called for the impeachment of President Buhari for failing to stick to his earlier promise to appear before the House and address the rampant insecurity in the country.
Doguwa said Chinda’s stand was an embarrassment to members and that the caucus leader acted alone and without clearance from his party.
He said the leadership of the House was in contact with the leaders of the opposition party to know that Chinda was pursuing a personal agenda to drive a wedge between the House and the Presidency.
He said; “We are in touch with the PDP members in the House and that he, (Chinda) does not represent their views. He has embarrassed the House with his comments. There was never a time that the PDP met to take that decision. It was because of Chinda’s statement that the President became embarrassed and decided to cancel the invitation. He felt that if he honoured the invitation, he may be embarrassed. He would be punished for embarrassing the House.”
In his reaction, Chinda said he too was embarrassed by Doguwa’s position and asked; “ Is Dogowa a member of the House caucus of the PDP? Is he the spokesperson of the executive to give Nigerians reasons why Nigeria President must not honour the House invitation? The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice( Abubakar Malami)said the House has no legal powers to invite the President. Which one de we believe.”
Recall that on Tuesday, December 8, the House acting on the global reaction to the murder of 101 rice farmers in Zarbamari viilagein Borno State, resolved to invite Buhari to give explanations to the lawmakers over worsening insecurity in the country.
On Sunday, December 13, Chinda issued a statement that Buhari had failed in his primary duty to protect lives and property in the country and Nigerians shpuld compel their representatives in the National Assembly to start impeachment proceedings against him. Chindaalso called on the Federal Executive Council to declare Buhari incapacitated.
In his reaction, spokesman of the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, described Chinda’s stand illogical and said it was a distraction to members who were eagerly awaiting Buhari’s coming to the House.
Attorney-General of Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami later said the members had no legal right to invite the President to address them
