We don’t need PDP members to pass Buhari’s virement request -APC Reps

• Say President has no hands in attempt to impeach Otorm

By Umar Muhammad Puma and Christiana Ekpan

The members of the All Progressives congress (APC), in the House of Representatives have expressed shocked and disbelieve over the position of their counterparts from the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP) on the alleged attempt to impeach Benue State Governor Samuel Otorm.
Recall members of the opposition People Democratic Party had threatened not to consider President Muhammadu Buhari’s supplementary budget over the impeachment move by the eight lawmakers of the Benue State House of Assembly against Governor Samuel Ortom.
However, a statement issued yesterday on behalf of the APC members by the leader of the House, Rep Femi Gbajabiamila (APC Lagos), said the PDP members lack proper understanding of the law and legislative procedure to stop the reconvening of the House, saying they only need a simple majority, which he said the APC has in abundance.
“It is more befuddling that there seems to be more misunderstanding of the required number to form a quorum. A quorum is 1/3rd of members again a number our party has in abundance. It is strange and hyperbolic that the PDP caucus in the House in a knee jerk reaction will try to tie the President to the impeachment move.
“Whilst we agree that the purported impeachment of the Benue State Speaker by 8 members cannot pass the smell test under the constitution, we expected our colleagues to push for an Investigation of the role played by the Nigerian Police in alleged attempt to Impeach Benue Governor Gbajabiamila wonders why the same PDP that has been screaming restructuring and federalism to high heavens will now blame the activities of an independent state assembly on Mr. President.
“As for the police the matter is serious enough and one would expect the PDP members to immediately push for the reconvening of the House so as to probe the exact role played by the police. In legislative work there are procedures to be followed.
“As legislators we believe in the constitutionally enshrined separation of powers and as such rather than look to the President the PDP caucus should challenge the matter in court.
“We are sure it will be a slam dunk based on the prima facie facts before us. They will be surprised that some members of our caucus may join them in this legal pursuit in the sustenance of democracy. That is assuming as members of the House of Representatives we have locus standi, which we believe we do. The partisan route is not the way to go.”