NEMA probe: Group accuses reps of vendetta

A civil society group, Coalition of Civil Society Organization for Good Governance and Change Initiative, has accused the house of representative of vendetta in the probe of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The lawmakers have indicted Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo on illegal approval of N5.8 billion to NEMA and also demanded sacking of Mustapha Maihaja, director-general of the agency, over alleged abuse of office.

But the Coalition of Civil Society Organization for Good Governance said the lawmakers have ulterior motive.

“The worrisome aspect of the whole issue is the deployment of funds from the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to malign the character of the DG of NEMA and by extension that of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who happens to be the chairman of the board of NEMA,” the group said in a statement.

“We have it on competent authority that massive amount of monies has been earmarked by the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives for this unethical and evil plot at the detriment of taxpayers’ funds.

“This act is not only despicable; it is indeed a gross abuse of office and detrimental to the continued peace and stability of the country.

“We also have it on good authority that the Speaker of the House of Representatives have indeed vowed to ensure that the activities of NEMA are grounded by casting aspersion on the image of the DG NEMA and the Vice President.

“Little wonder the various reports the House of Representatives has released in recent times paramount of which is the accusation that the Vice President illegally approved the sum of N5 billion for NEMA.

“The Coalition for Civil Society Organisations for Good Governance and Change Initiative is indeed constrained to alert the members of the unsuspecting public of this smear campaign initiated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

“And to consequently warn that unless the relevant political authorities take urgent and proactive steps in the country, the impunity is capable of obstructing the humanitarian efforts of NEMA, especially in North East Nigeria.

“The danger when such excesses are left unchecked is that the credibility of the National Assembly as an institution acting in the best interest of the people would be eroded.”