AC Lawmaker Backs Bankole Over Travail

An Action Congress (AC) member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dayo Bush-Alebiosu has described the ultimatum issued to the Speaker of the House,   Hon. Dimeji Bankole to resign or face impeachment as personal calls and not that of the collective wish of the 360-member parliament.

Bush-Alebiosu, who spoke in Lagos, Nigeria, said those calling for his removal were only expressing their personal views as expected under the constitution and did not represent the combined voice of the House or his party, the AC.

The lawmaker, who represents Kosofe Federal Constituency of Lagos State, said those against the speaker based their demand on allegations of graft and high-handedness of  Bankole.

Bush-Alebiosu pointed out that the Parliament as an institution should not be brought down by few members over sundry and personal issues “because history has a unique way of repeating itself in all endeavours and members must always act and protect this all-important arm of government.

”Personally, I have not seen any germane issue that will improve the lot of the people we all represent in this whole crisis and alleged reasons for him to resign. What they are saying now are matters that have reverberated in the House for more than two years. Why is it now that they are discovering these so-called documents?”

The lawmaker added that the main opposition parties in the House of Representatives – the Action Congress (AC) and the All Nigeria Peoples’ Party (ANPP) had nothing to do with the threats of resignation and removal of the Speaker, saying the alleged issues of discord were chiefly among the People’s Democratic Party lawmakers who always claimed family affairs approach to settling cracks among themselves.

On the encomium being showered on the appointment of Professor Attahiru Jega as the new Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Bush-Alebiosu sounded a caution that until the new Electoral Commission boss begins work, he would just wait and see what happens, adding that what Nigeria needs is more than just appointing a radical boss for the Commission but a total reformation of the electoral system.