The last is yet to be heard over the bribery scandal trailing the dissolution of the joint Committees on Petroleum Midstream and Downstream mandated by the House to conduct forensic investigation into the activities of Oil and Gas sector.
In a swift reaction to the trending reports on Wednesday, Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi on Wednesday in a statement titled: ‘Clarification on the reconstitution of the Ad Hoc Committee on Oil and Gas Investigation’, argued that the House leadership decided to ensure efficacy, independence, and effectiveness of the investigation.
He said: “The House of Representatives has observed, with consternation, the speculations in some sections of the media following the dissolution of the Ad Hoc Committee on Oil and Gas by the leadership of the House.
“It is necessary to clarify that the action by the leadership was to ensure efficacy, independence, and effectiveness of the investigation.
“Appallingly, some people went to town with speculations regarding the action of the leadership, with some making allegations of a rift between the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, while others alleged that there was an inducement for the appointment of a committee chairman.
“The House of Representatives, therefore, wishes to clarify as follows: The House has its internal working mechanisms, which are enabled by Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides that ‘Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Senate or the House of Representatives shall have power to regulate its own procedure, including the procedure for summoning and recess of the House.’
“That the leadership of the House reserves the right to disband/dissolve an ad hoc committee whenever the need arises.
“That the action taken by the House to dissolve the Ad Hoc Committee on Oil and Gas Investigation did not contravene any rule of the House or any law of the land.
“That at no time did the House leadership or anybody for that matter receive inducement for the appointment of any committee chairman. It was an assignment diligently executed by the Selection Committee of the House between June and July 2023, which has a member from each of the states of the federation.
“That there is no rift whatsoever between the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker regarding this or any matter; the duo enjoys a robust and cordial relationship.
“The two Presiding Officers also have mutual respect, and will not allow anything to come between them.
“The public should therefore disregard the speculations making the round in some sections of the media.
“Furthermore, the House of Representatives wishes to implore Journalists and the Nigerian media, in general, to always verify their facts and crosscheck with the appropriate quarters before going to the press with information that is nothing but falsehoods dished out as stories.
“Finally, the House operates an open-door policy, and will remain open to the Nigerian public and the media regarding its activities.”
In the same vein, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu who dismissed the $10 million bribery allegation, expressed support for the dissolution of the joint Committee on Petroleum Resources (Midstream) and (Downstream) probing the activities of the Nigeria’s petroleum sector, a decision recently taken by the leadership of the parliament.
Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Levinus Nwabughiogu said: “The Deputy Speaker does not also have any misunderstanding of any kind with the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Ph.D and the House leadership on the development.
“This clarification becomes imperative following the reports of alleged bickering between the speaker and Kalu over the matter.
“We make bold to emphatically state that there is no conflict and has never been any between Speaker Abbas and the Deputy Speaker since they were elected the presiding officers of the 10th House in June 2023.
“Both leaders enjoy a robust working relationship akin to filial ties and at no time has Kalu’s loyalty to the speaker been questioned.
“Abbas has explicit confidence in his deputy whom he publicly refers to as his brother, friend, confidant, and strong support.
“Let it also be stated that the report of a shouting match between Speaker Abbas and Kalu during the recent emergency leadership meeting in which the Deputy Speaker participated via Zoom from a very noisy ward-to-ward, thank-you tour at Ugwueke in Bende federal constituency of Abia State is greatly unfounded, insensitive and senseless. The minutes of the meeting are there and will convince anyone in doubt.
“The decision for the dissolution was a matter of necessity collectively taken by the House leadership and Kalu is in total support of it for a better investigative structure soon to be announced on the same subject matter.
“For purposes of accentuation, the leadership of the two Chambers of the National Assembly is coming up with a new model for the probe which details will be communicated to the public soon. This has nothing to do with any allegation or offence on the part of the joint Committee in question. Again, the minute of the meeting has no record of such strange allegation.
“Moreso, the allegation of $10m bribe is an elaborate hoax, a joke taken too far. It is ludicrous, grossly spurious, and provocative. It should be completely disregarded. There is no report of any indictment and nothing close to it was mentioned with regard to the Committee, its leadership, or membership.
“Needless to say over overtime, some fifth columnists and mischief makers have been working fruitlessly to smear Kalu and put him at a crossroads with the Speaker.
“They are hereby seriously warned to desist from spewing reports and publications capable of provoking legal suits as we might be forced to take that route to maintain the hard-earned integrity and reputation of the deputy speaker.
“Abbas and Kalu are committed to working for the good of the legislature and the entire Nigeria by providing the needed leadership and guidelines meant to enable people-oriented legislations for good governance and the overall development of the country.
“Their dedication to duty was exemplified and typified even by the eloquent testimonies of their colleagues during the celebration of their first anniversary in office in June, this year.
“The Office of the Deputy Speaker is always open to provide answers to official issues that need clarification.”
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