There was anxiety yesterday among members of the House of Representatives, following reports that anti-Speaker Tambuwal lawmakers were collecting signatures as part of steps to move against the House leadership.Each signature was said to be attracting N2.5million.
The cash went to PDP members, who believe in the need to effect change in the House.
It was gathered that a member of the Aviation Committee and a member of the Special Duties Committee were the coordinators of the cash inducements.
A suite was hired in a posh hotel in Abuja to dish out the cash to members.
When our correspondent visited the hotel, he observed that House members were trickling in one after the other between 2pm and 5.30pm.
It was not immediately clear who was bankrolling the plot, but the House leadership is believed to have launched an investigation into the cash-for-loyalty deal.
It was learnt that the cash was initially meant to be $25,000 per head, but sensing that it could be traced if tabled on the floor of the House, the coordinators went for a flat rate of N2.5million each.
A principal officer of the House said: “We have heard of how some moneybags are trying to invest in the crisis in the House. But it is ridiculous that some Nigerians will go to this extent.
“I cannot believe that someone will collect N2.5million to cause crisis in the House. We are investigating it.”
Responding to a question, the officer added: “I know that some aggrieved members are still collecting signatures but they cannot have their way on their plot to destabilise the House.
“Those behind Tuesday’s rumpus were not up to 10 in a House of 360 members. They cannot go far.”
One of those suspected to have been induced, who spoke with our correspondent in confidence, said: “It is our usual stock-in –trade to assume that once some members stand for principle on any issue, they have taken money.
“Our position was that the PDP should resolve its crisis at the party level; it should not bring it to the House. Is there any offence in that? Neither Bamanga Tukur or Kawu Baraje has ever visited the National Assembly in peace time to even give us suggestions on how to move the nation forward.
“Now, when they had issues, they rushed to the House. This was why some of us resisted the audience given to Baraje.
“Do you mean N2.5million will make any member to go and shout on Kawu Baraje in the House? Is there any member who cannot afford that?”
The Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Victor Ogene, said: “I have also heard rumours, but I am not in a position to either confirm or deny, especially as nobody has approached me as an individual.
“If anybody decides to part with money for loyalty sake that is his own problem. As far as the House is concerned, we are not shaken.”
There were indications last night that Senate President David Mark received the Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party following assurance by the leadership of the New PDP that it would not take any action against the leadership of the Senate.
Source: Vanguard
