Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal on Wednesday narrowly escaped an impeachment plot by some members over the purchase of 400 Camry cars for standing committees. The impeachment plot, reported by a section of the media, was dismissed, as members of the House unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Speaker.
This is the second time such will be happening since Tambuwal assumed speakership of the House on 6th June 2011. Expressing deep regrets that the latest plot was happening at a time members were working relentlessly to build the integrity of the House as an institution, Tambuwal urged the legislators to ignore the publications and as well see the allegations as some challenges that accompany exalted positions of representing the people.
In a motion raised under matters of privileges, Chairman of House Committee on Works, Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi had drawn the attention of members to a publication in a national daily, alleging plot to sack Tambuwal over purchase of 400 Camry cars and stating that it was a clear design to create disharmony since the decision to install anybody as Speaker of the House lies with the 360 members. He further said that for the possible erosion of the integrity and reputation of the House, reacting to the said publication is unnecessary, as he and other members were fully aware that the current leadership of the House under Tambuwal had distant itself from all procurement processes. Following his submissions, Mr. Bello Osagie, who described the publications as “the most profound evidence of distraction” plan for the House, subsequently moved a motion to pass a vote of confidence on Tambuwal and the entire leadership as “a way of putting an end to any further debate” on the matter. His motion was seconded by Chairman of the Committee on Aviation, Nkeruka Onyejeocha. But before Tambuwal put question for voice votes on the motion, which was fully supported, he made a brief remark, expressing “terrible sadness” when he read the publications.
He reiterated that he had never seen any of his colleagues show interest in any of the issues raised in the publications, especially when no names were mentioned in the stories. Tambuwal then urged members to ignore the publications, saying they should rather “continue to be vanguards for the promotion of those things that have helped in keeping Nigeria as one united country,” and ensure that “the House. as an institution. continues to work for the welfare of Nigerians.
