20th January, 2012
Members of the Benue State House of Assembly have staged a walk out on the governor of the state, Gabriel Suswam, following the refusal of the governor to purchase Toyota Prado SUVs for them.
They walked out on the governor yesterday in Obudu, Cross River State, Southsouth Nigeria, where both arms of government were expected to kick start a one week-budget retreat.
A text message from Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Public Affairs, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, said that the lawmakers staged a boycott insisting that Governor Suswam must hand over Prado SUV keys to them as he did to members of the sixth assembly in 2007 when they attended a retreat in Obudu, Cross River State.
However, this time Suswam complained to the lawmakers of lack of funds as a result of non implementation of complete removal of fuel subsidy as suggested by President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration.
Akwaya condemned the action of the legislators, saying it is inconsiderate. He maintained that the budget is yet to be passed and so no serious procurement could be done now.
“Moreover, the items are yet to be approved as expenditure items in the 2012 budget .There is therefore no need to boycott the budget retreat .Their action is hasty especially as they were yet to discuss the matter with the governor who as a former legislator is very sensitive to the need of the legislature and has always worked to support the business of the State House of Assembly and is ready to continue to do so in the years ahead,” Akwaya said.
In his reaction, Hon. Paul Biam , Majority Leader of the House, denied the rift between the governor and the lawmakers.
He opined that the lawmakers did not stage a walk out on the governor as insinuated.
Rather, what they did was that when they observed that some key officials of the Assembly, particularly the principal staff of the secretarial arm of various committees of the House of Assembly were not accommodated in the retreat, they decided to intimate the governor that the secretariat is an important component of the House Committee and since they were not duly accommodated, the members suggested to the governor another date be chosen for them to have their retreat and the governor graciously obliged.
Terkimbir Ikyang, a member of the House on the platform of ACN, said that the members have dissociated themselves from the retreat and would organise their separate retreat at a time deemed fit for them.
An inside source told P.M.NEWS that the face off may eventually lead to the removal of David Iorhemba, the Speaker.
Most of the lawmakers are not comfortable with his style of leadership since assumption of office about three months ago.
—Ubong George/Makurdi