Imo assembly flouts House rules as PDP lawmakers kick

Lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Imo state House of Assembly have kicked against the headship of the House Public Accounts Committee, saying that the committee is usually headed by a member from the minority party.

The PDP lawmakers averred that the leadership of the state assembly has violated the House rules by appointing a member of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) as chairman of the committee.

The House Public Accounts Committee is however, saddled with the task of probing the N19.63 billion local government funds which the Uzodinma-led APC government alleged was mismanaged by the PDP administration of former Governor Emeka Ihedioha.

PDP lawmakers in the House in a leaked memo to the Speaker of the House, Chiji Collins kicked against the appointment, pointing out that by the convention in the country and globally the headship of the public accounts committee is reserved for the minority party.

According to investigation, the memo was jointly signed by Anyadike Nwosu, minority leader/member representing Ezinihitte State Constituency, Mr. Frank Ugboma, deputy minority leader/member, representing Oguta State Constituency, Solomon Anukam, minority whip/member representing Owerri Municipal State Constituency and Phillip Ejiogu, deputy minority whip/member Owerri North State Constituency..

Other PDP members who signed the document include Okey Onyekanma, member, representing Mbaitoli State Constituency and Tochi Okereke, member representing Ngor Okpala State Constituency.

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The opposition lawmakers said it is regrettable that the state House of Assembly is failing to comply with global parliamentary convention.

The memo which was dated May 4 and titled: “Headship/membership of the Public Accounts Committee of the Imo state House of Assembly” reads in part: “We wish to draw your attention to the membership of the Public Accounts Committee of the Imo state House of Assembly as it is presently constituted.

“Mr. Speaker, it is important to inform you that by the convention in Nigeria and worldwide; the headship of the public accounts committee is reserved for the minority party

“This is to ensure consolidation of democratic practices and accountability in administration and running of the government. It is regrettable that Imo state is yet to comply with this parliamentary convention

“Mr. Speaker sir, we implore you to perceive this from the point of universal practice and the enhancement of legislative democracy, and toe the line of wisdom by appointing a member of the minority party as chairman of the public accounts committee as Imo state cannot be an exception

“Mr. Speaker sir, again, it is of importance to note that we are not against the public accounts committee discharging its functions, but we are worried that we did not comply essentially to our rules particularly, Order XVIII Rule 113 (6) (A) (B) (C) and (D) which stipulates that reports to be considered must be laid before the House of Assembly

“In the ongoing investigation, the House did not comply with our rules. We therefore, urge you to use your good offices as the chief interpreter of our rules to do justice by appointing the minority leader as chairman of PAC and redirect for the compliance to our rules.”