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Nigeria: Parliament threatens to impeach President Jonathan over budget implementation delay
Nigeria President.,Goodluck Jonathan. PHOTO/File
The House of Representatives in Nigeria, has declared that its decision to initiative impeachment proceedings against President Goodluck Jonathan if he fails to comply with its directives on implementation of the budget by September is irrevocable.
Last Thursday, the House threatened the president with impeachment over what it called “poor implementation” of the budget.
It gave him up till September 30 to ensure “full implementation” of the fiscal policy or “we will start drafting articles of impeachment”.
Sources said the senators joined forces with the representatives because both chambers – the Senate and the House, must work together on impeachment in line with constitutional provisions.
According to Section 143 (1): The President or Vice-President may be removed from office in accordance with the provision of this section.
(2): Whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less one-third of the members of the National Assembly:
(a) is presented to the President of the Senate;
(b) stating that the holder of the office of President or Vice-President is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office, detailed particulars of which shall be specified.
House Chairman, Media and Publicity, Zakari Mohammed, in a statement on Monday said the lawmakers’ decision was fired by the fact that the growth in the economy has not reflected in the well being of the people of Nigeria.
Lawmakers in Nigeria plan to use the two month recess to consolidate impeachment plans, in the event that the executive under Mr. Jonathan does not yield to their demands.