From: Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
A nongovernmental organisation, Centre for Democracy and Development Communication(CDDC), in Kebbi State, has demanded that the state’s House of Assembly should commence investigation into over N68.8 billion released by Federal Government to the state in the last two years.
Executive Director of the group, Comrade Ahmad Bunza, made the demand in a letter, on Wednesday, sent to the Speaker of the House Hon. Samaila Abdulmumin, titled “Re: Suspension of Hon. Garba Anaruwa Suru and Hon. Sank Idris Umar”, dated 14th March,2017 and made available to journalists yesterday in Birnin-Kebbi.
He noted that the House should focus on the probe and other serious issues than censor freedom of expression of members.
Addressing journalists at the Correspondent chapel after submitting the letter to the Speaker, Bunza noted that sections 36,37,38 and 49 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999 as amended, permitted freedom for expression, association and opinion to all citizens without any hindrance.
He also cited sections 90 to 119 of constitution of Nigeria which stated the recalled process of elected members stressed that there was no portion for the suspension of members.
The centre threaten that if the House did not revert the suspension of two members, they would mobilise general public to picket the House, initiate recall process of all members that took the decision, as well take legal action against the house if it did not lifted the suspension.
His words, ” The centre therefore funds it expedient to advise the house to focus its energy on such important issues as; a,3%-6.5% budget performance for 2015,3.8% for 2016 and 0% for 2017 first quarter.
“The where about of N40 billion anchor borrower funds being siphoned by a narrow and unproductive clique with only 14% recovery and 18% performance ratio.
” The N7 billion funds for 2015,N13.8 billion for 2016,and several other billions in ecological funds and other forms of interventions “.
The group added that ” it is pertinent to remind the House that the public is looking forward to you for solace in view of the unsatisfactory manner the affairs of the state is being conducted “.