A message signed by 140 members of the House of Representatives and published in newspapers on Tuesday to congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan on the occasion of Nigeria's 53rd independence anniversary from Great Britain, sparked a row yesterday.
A member of the House, Hon. Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo (PDP-Nassarawa), in his motion on privilege on the floor, said his name was included on the list of signatories without his consent.
Onawo, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Industries, told the House, presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, that he received the publication with a surprise.
"Iwasshockedtoseethispublicationwithmy name," hesaid.
The lawmaker said he was disappointed that besides including his name wrongfully, the publication portrayed the House as divided.
"This publication gives the impression that we are not operating as one and that the House is not operating as one and this is not good for this country," he said.
The lawmaker said he was most saddened by the suspicion that those on the list were alleged to have taken $25, 000 each from the Presidency to impeach Tambuwal.
"It is been insinuated that people who are on the list are purported to have collected $25,000 and I did not collect any $25, 000," he added.
Source: Rep protests over anniversary message to Jonathan (http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/rep-protests-over-anniversary-message-to-jonathan/)