Tashikalmah Hallah
19 September 2007
Abuja — Supporters and opponents of the Speaker of the House of Representatives were yesterday collecting signatures for a vote of confidence or impeachment proceedings.
The division in the House, Daily Trust learnt, widened on Sunday night when the two camps held separate but simultaneous meetings. According to their own figures the pro-Etteh group were narrowly ahead in the race for signatures by lunchtime yesterday.
Members loyal to Mrs. Patricia Etteh met at the Abuja Sheraton Hotel. She and the principal officers of the House were also present at the meeting. The opposition "Integrity Group" led by Farouk Lawan, John Halims Agoda and Mercy Almona Isei attended a meeting at the Protea Hotel.
A member of the steering committee, campaign for a vote of confidence on the Speaker said they would move for a vote of confidence on the Speaker today (Wednesday) adding that they have collected "over 200 signatures so far".
Mr. Dino Melaye, chairman of the steering committee told Daily Trust yesterday that the move was an attempt to stave off any impeachment of the Speaker.
He said: "Those who are collating signatures to impeach Madam Speaker are wasting their time, energy and resources. Our confidence in Madam Speaker's ability to overcome what is happening in the House remains unshaken".
However, Melaye refused to be drawn to whether they are going to pass a vote of confidence on the Speaker today, insisting, "We have confidence in the Speaker. The Speaker's position has never been under threat and it will remain so".
The Integrity Group has opened a book at the Protea Hotel and Daily Trust has seen 147 signatures in the book as at noon yesterday. A member of the group said: "We are taking our campaign to the next level, and I learnt that they are collating signatures, well, we wish them the best but Nigerians are watching".
The member said he couldn't speak on the collation of signatures by the group as he said "we have a department charged with the responsibility and the person there, Abike Dabiri, is competent in the field of media management."
Meanwhile, the probe panel has queried the Clerk to the National Assembly, Alhaji Nasiru Ibrahim Arab over M/S State Co Nig. Ltd the contractor handling the upgrading of the Speaker's residence over its refusal to heed an order to stop work given last week.
Mr. David Idoko in a letter to the clerk said the contractor's contempt was unacceptable and demanded explanations on who asked them to be on site, adding that the contractor will explain his own side today, while giving evidence before the committee.
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