Reps Differ Over Sovereign National Conference, Oppose $7.9bn Loan

Members of the Action Congress of Nigeria caucus in the House of Representatives yesterday distanced members from reports that it was opposed to a convocation of a sovereign national conference.

The caucus also stated that it was unilaterally opposed to the Federal Government’s planned $7.9 billion loan.

Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon Zakari Mohammed had said the Green Chamber did not find it necessary to toe that line when the constitution amendment exercise which was on-going at the National Assembly could address the issues the proponents of the conference sought to address.

Briefing the press on the issue yesterday, leader of the caucus and minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila said they never discussed and agreed not to support the conference or take any stand on it.

“At no time did the House sit together as a body either at plenary or at an executive session to take a position on this very important national conversation,” the minority leader said.

Also, the opposition leader said the proposed loan which the Federal Government was contracting to fund some pipeline projects was unconstitutional since it was never part of the 2012 to 2015 medium term expenditure framework and would only take Nigeria back to her days of heavy indebtedness.