Buhari Seeks Reps Approval After Authorising $496m For Spending
- As Reps Move To Impeach Him
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday sought approval of the House of Representatives after previously boycotting it to authorise the spending of $496 million for the purchase of Super Tucano aircraft.
President Buhari, whose action has sparked debate of his impeachment by the House, said in a letter to the lower legislative chamber that he authorised the withdrawal of the sum from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) in anticipation of their approval.
The letter, as read by Speaker Yakubu Dogara on the floor of the House, partly reads: “In the expectation that the National Assembly would have no objection to the purchase of this highly specialized aircraft, which is critical to national security, I granted anticipatory approval for the release of US$469, 374, 470.00.”
But raising a point of order in objection to Buhari`s “breach of law“ and disregard for the House, Hon. Kingsley Chinda from Rivers State said: “There is no language on the presidential approval. The expenditure has already been secured without any approval. We cannot sit down and do nothing. National Assembly is not a rubber stamp. Today, it is as if we are like dogs that cannot bark. It is an impeachable offence”.
Chinda said, “For three years now, there is no day in the country that people are not being killed. We should commence impeachment now. By our rule, the letter of this nature should not be debated upon but should be carried out with action.’’
Majority of the Rep members supported Chinda’s point of order with only a few objecting to it.
After much deliberations, the Speaker said the House would debate on a later date whether it would commence Buhari`s impeachment process or not.