The House of Representatives has summoned President Muhammadu Buhari over the unending killings in Benue state and other parts of the country.
The motion to summon President Buhari was moved by an All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker from Kano State, Mr. Bashir Baballe.
Baballe Bashir (APC, Kano) moved for the amendment of a motion moved by Mark Gbilah (APC, Benue) and the decision was unanimously welcomed by an overwhelming majority of members.
The House also resolved to shut down the National Assembly for three legislative days in solidarity with the people of Benue, Taraba and other states who have suffered attacks in recent times.
Similarly, the House passed a vote of no confidence on all the service chiefs, calling for their immediate replacement.
Benue killings – at least 15 people were killed early Tuesday at a church in Benue state.
Earlier on today, Kingsley Chinda, the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, called for President Buhari’s impeachment over the withdrawal of $462million to pay for 12 Super Tucano jets.
Buhari had approved the withdrawal of the money from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for the procurement of the aircraft, without prior approval from the National Assembly.
After his action raised eyebrows, Mr President said in a letter to the National Assembly, that the US Government had given a payment deadline for the aircraft purchase. And that he granted the approval of the amount in anticipation that the National Assembly would have no objection.
This explanation did not go down well with the lawmakers, who argued it was an impeachment offence.
Hon. Chinda, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Obio Akpor Federal Constituency of Rivers state, immediately called for Buhari’s impeachment.
“This matter ($462m) came up last week. Today, Mr. President has admitted that the expenditure has already been incurred.
“We are supposed to be a watchdog, but as it is, we cannot bite. This is an impeachable offence and there is no misconduct that is more serious than this.
“I propose that we commence the impeachment of Mr. President, based on this infraction,” he said.
The leadership of the House, however, suspended the debate on the payment for the jets until another legislative day.
