WAR AT ASSEMBLY
PDP WOMAN AT HOUSE OF REP PUNCHING COLLEAGUES
Despite several denials, facts have emerged that some members of the House of Representatives were allegedly bribed with $25,000 (about N4.2m) to cause chaos in the House, move against the leadership and frustrate the activities of the new PDP lawmakers.
LEADERSHIP gathered last night that, since Tuesday, some of the alleged PDP members have been going to a hotel situated around the Central Business District to collect their own share of the largesse.
The deal, which a dependable source who spoke with LEADERSHIP said is bankrolled by the presidency, however extends to any other lawmaker who does not belong to the Baraje faction of PDP.
The source, who is also a member of the House but sought anonymity, said: “The plan is aimed at swelling their ranks. Since Tuesday, they have been going to that hotel to collect $25,000 each. When they collect, they sign an understanding which states that they will be loyal to President Goodluck Jonathan, Bamanga Tukur and Speaker Tambuwal. But they know the part of speaker was just added to make them feel more comfortable and look like they are not against him.”
Going further, he explained that what transpired when Baraje led the National Working Committee and G-7 governors was to “show that they can deliver”.
The points-man for the assignment, he disclosed, is a ranking lawmaker from Imo State who heads an international parliamentary body.
Others included in the deal other than loyalists of the Tukur faction are five members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), seven members of the Labour Party, and four members of the Accord Party (AP).
Expressing disappointment that the lawmaker would allow himself to be used to cause division in the House, the source added: “This is somebody we all supported to be appointed as speaker of that prestigious international parliament. Since Monday, they have been going there to collect the money and, till today, those who haven’t gotten are still going there. The deal is open to anyone who is interested, as long as you are not a member of the Baraje faction of PDP. They want to swell their ranks by getting more members to be on their side.”
The source also said that on Tuesday when that fight broke out between the two factions in the House, Tukur loyalists were in the midst of a meeting where they were discussing how to destabilise the House when they were called to come and disrupt the courtesy visit.
Despite all these, LEADERSHIP gathered, during a closed-door session that held in the chambers on Wednesday, Speaker Tambuwal appealed for calm among his colleagues, advising them to put national interest ahead of partisan troubles.
Post a Comment