Gbaja: Why reps can’t intervene in Kazaure’s N89trn stamp duty allegations

The house of representatives says it cannot stop Gudaji Kazaure, one of its members, from going on with his “mandate” to investigate the alleged mismanagement or embezzlement of N89.09 trillion stamp duty funds.

Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, spoke with state house correspondents after a private meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa in Abuja on Tuesday.

Kazaure, who said he is also the secretary of the presidential committee on the reconciliation and recovery of all stamp duties, had accused administration officials of “cover-ups” in the investigation of the funds.

But the presidency dismissed allegations, describing them as “false”.

Speaking on the issue, Gbajabiamila said Kazaure’s alleged assignment as member of an executive committee was independent of the house of representatives.

He said the house can only interfere in the matter if Kazaure impugns on the integrity of its members.

“Kazaure, from my understanding, is working with whoever he’s working with. If it necessitates the house coming in, we will come in. If he has an official function, he should go ahead and do his work,” the speaker said.

Gbajabiamila further noted that Kazaure’s allegations against administrative officials did not originate from the national assembly.

“This has nothing to do with the national assembly. Not that I know of. It was not based on a resolution of the national assembly. It was not based on a motion from the national assembly, I believe he said he had the executive authority to do what he’s doing. If that be the case, I mean, then it’s got nothing to do with the national assembly,” he said.

“Well, the house can only call Kazaure to order to the extent that he is impugning on the integrity of the house or individuals or leadership of the house that have nothing to do with what he’s doing.

“I think it’s important to separate the two, if he has a mandate to do something, that’s on him. When it came up, we had asked members of the executive but they said they were not aware of any mandate or such mandate has been withdrawn.

“I don’t want to get into it except to the extent that he tries to impugn on the integrity of members of the house. And that’s a no no, we have nothing to do with this.”

REPS TO PASS 2023 BUDGET ON THURSDAY

Meanwhile, the speaker also disclosed that the 2023 budget proposal of N20.5 trillion will be passed on Thursday.

Gbajabiamila said he visited the villa to speak with Buhari on pressing national issues including the cashless policy controversy, 2023 elections, security issues as well as felicitate with him over his recent 80th birthday celebration.

On the activities of the house for next year, Gbajabiamila pointed out that they would soon round up the year’s session and go on break to campaign for the elections.

“We’re going to be rounding up our session. And of course, you know, when we resume in January, it’s going to be just barely five weeks before elections,” he explained.

“So, it’s probably going to have very little time to sit, with maybe about a week to 10 days before we all go for campaigns and elections.

“In that one week to 10 days, we intend to cram in a lot. For now, We’re going to pass the budget on Thursday.

“Hopefully, when we come back in January, we’ll do some house cleaning matters.”