Members of Ekiti State House of Assembly yesterday called on the National Assembly to as a matter of urgency, commence an impeachment process against President Goodluck Jonathan over alleged illegal deductions of oil revenues from the Federation Account. Speaking at a plenary session at the hallowed chambers in Ado-Ekiti, members of the Assembly described as “irresponsible and criminal,” the monthly deduction of over N480 million from the revenue accruable to the state, which they said, had been having a negative effect on the living standards of the people and the state’s economic development. The Assembly was holding a special session, where they deliberated extensively on the presentation of Governor Kayode Fayemi on the floor of the Assembly on Monday, as he alleged that over N4.62 trillion had been frittered away from the Federation Account in the last three years being the amount not remitted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Also, the lawmakers resolved that the National Assembly must hire the services of an independent audit firm to scrutinise the finances of the NNPC, adding that it should also ask the federal government to return all illegal deductions into the Federation Account. The Assembly’s resolutions, which were read on its floor by the majority leader, Hon Churchill Adedipe, were: that the Supreme Court should expedite actions on all cases relating to Sovereign National Wealth and illegal deductions pending before it and immediate review of allocation sharing formula between the federal, state and local governments. The Assembly resolved that the resolution would be passed to Fayemi for onward transmission to the National Assembly. Speaking after the resolution, the Speaker of the assembly, Hon Adewale Omirin, maintained that the alleged looting of the nation’s commonwealth under Jonathan had confirmed that he is incompetent to govern the nation. Omirin, said: “This president seems to be incompetent with the massive looting being experienced under his nose at NNPC. He looks gentle and innocent, but he must be able to manage the affairs of the state or resign for more competent people to take charge.” Speaking earlier, Hons Ajibola Samuel, Ade Ojo, Adeniyi Adeloye, Gabriel Ogundele, Omowumi Ogunlola, Ayo Fatumbi, Adeniyi Adeloye and the Majority Leader, Hon. Churchill Adedipe, who spoke in turns, expressed resentment at the alleged deductions from the allocation accruable to the state. Particularly, Adedipe, a second termer, said the deductions from the Federation Account contravenes section 162 of the Constitution and should be condemned by the National Assembly and other right thinking Nigerians.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 04:53:46 +0000