SAN FRANCISCO, May 05, (THEWILL) – The chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, Monday expressed dismay with the remarks of President Goodluck Jonathan against the House over the probe of Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.
The House is currently investigating the minister over allegations of using public funds to the tune of N10 billion on chartering private jets for both personal and official use.
But reacting to the president’s support for the minister and “unfriendly” comments against the House, Mohammed described the statement credited to President Jonathan that the House plays more politics than work as very unfortunate.
Mohammed, who disclosed this in a telephone conversation said “the office of Mr. President is one we hold in high esteem but for him to address an arm of government the way he did was rather unfortunate”.
According to the lawmaker, “we in the 7th Assembly will continue not to gloss over issues that has direct bearing on the welfare of Nigerians.
“And let me make it abundantly clear that we are not afraid of any name that we are being tagged for supporting Nigerians”.
He added: “For a leader to tag an arm of government that has immensely contributed to his political career in that derogatory manner was really uncalled for.”
In a related development, the Minority Leader of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has described the public notice on closure of public offices and schools in Abuja during the forthcoming World Economic Forum as unlawful. He described the public notice as a public holiday declaration negating provisions of the Public Holidays Act.
The minority leader in a statement from his office in Abuja Monday expressed ill feelings towards recent decisions of the Federal Government,sayinf “this government continues to falter at every turn and get it wrong on daily basis.”
The APC Leader further condemned the effect of the stay-at-home order on productivity in the face of global antecedent.
“This World Economic Summit has been held over the years in other cities without the cities being shut down. What the government has done in effect is to declare Wednesday – Friday public holiday in violation of the Public Holidays Act,” he said.
SAINT MUGAGA, ABUJA
