Anti Bankole Group Begins Search For New Speaker

PHOTO: EMBATTLED SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, MR. DIMEJI BANKOLE.

ABUJA April 19, (THEWILL) - The group seeking to oust Alhaji Dimeji Bankole as Speaker of the House of Representatives said it is now shopping for an acceptable successor for the Speaker.

A member of the Nigeria First Forum (NFF) opposed to the Speaker hinted that the group has decided to soft-pedal on a motion for Bankole’s ouster Tuesday, as they have not reached a consensus on his replacement.

However, the embattled Speaker is said to have been sending text messages to members of the House allegedly pleading with them to drop the moves against him.

The plot to impeach Bankole is said to be part of the strategies by the NFF, which is loyal to Acting President Goodluck Jonathan to strengthen their hold on the government and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The group which has accused the Speaker of not giving the House a purposeful leadership is also not happy with him for working against Jonathan’s confirmation as Acting President.

Sources close to the group hinted that though some members have not been happy with the Speaker, the present move is out of anger over the plans by the Speaker to reconstitute the leadership of the standing committees of the House apparently to deal with the anti-Jonathan group.

Bankole is being accused of mismanaging the capital budget of the House and allegedly inflating figures for purchases in the House to his personal advantage.

The Speaker is also being accused of influencing the activities of the 36 member ad hoc committee earlier set up to monitor the spending of the funds of the House when the allegation of mismanagement of funds first came to the House.

Another member of the NFF alleged that the Speaker has been interfering with the activities of the committee and had suppressed the presentation of an interim report of the panel which may have implicated him.

Insisting that the House desires a purposeful leadership, the NFF member said Bankole’s leadership have been found wanting and must be replaced.