PDP Lawmakers Differ On Reps Plan To Summon Jonathan

Some opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives have reacted to the plans by an ad-hoc committee investigating the $1.3 billion Malabu Oil deal to summon former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, over his role in the controversial award of OPL 245 licence.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, who also chairs the ad-hoc panel investigating the scandal, Razak Atunwa, had told newsmen, yesterday, that his committee would invite the former president for questioning.
Atunwa later released a statement to the media restating his position, with sources saying that the committee has the approval of the Speaker to summon the former president.
Although Jonathan has denied receiving anything from the over $800million transferred into the private account of ex-petroleum minister, Dan Etete, by his administration, from the money paid by oil giants, Shell and ENI; investigations in Nigeria, United States and Italy, indicate that the former president may have benefitted from the deal.
Apart from Jonathan, other officials believed to have benefitted from the Malabu funds, include his former justice minister, Mohammed Adoke, and then petroleum minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke.
It is based on recent revelations suggesting Jonathan’s involvement that the committee decided to invite the former president.
However, some lawmakers from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have, however, expressed reservations with the decision.
Atunwa, like House Speaker, Hon Yakubu Dogara, is of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but his committee, like the House of Representatives, also has PDP members.
In an interview, yesterday, the House Minority Leader, Hon Leo Ogor, said there are modalities in summoning an ex-president.
“If it is the resolution of the House, we’ll follow it logically,” he said, adding that, “This isn’t the first time a former president will be summoned by the House”
The PDP House leader said rather than summon the former president; the two oil firms (Shell and ENI) who paid the money into the Federal Government account should be investigated.
“The ex-president said he doesn’t have a foreign account,” he said.
“I think the committee should rather investigate the oil firms, the minister of petroleum and attorney general since they participated in signing the MoU.”
He, however, expressed optimism that Jonathan will be exonerated at the end of the investigation.
“I chaired that committee in the 7th Assembly, we did our investigations, and I’m sure Jonathan will be exonerated”.
Also commenting on the potential summon, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, a PDP lawmaker from Edo State, said he was not aware of such plans but believes the ex-president will appear if summoned.
“I know Jonathan is a man who believes in the rule of law, he will definitely appear if he is invited.
“We shouldn’t be talking about that now since he has not been invited”, Agbonayinma said.
He said the allegations against the former president, who is spearheading moves to unite a factionalised PDP, had not been proven in court.
Also speaking on the matter, Nicholas Ossai, from Delta State, said any plan to invite the former president must be discussed at plenary.
“Former presidents, irrespective of their political parties are senior citizens, and there are certain levels of respect accorded to them”, he said.
“If there is any plan to summon him, it has to be deliberated on the floor of the House”.