NO COUP THREAT IN NIGERIA-BANKOLE

Press Statement


The attention of the office of the Speaker, House of Representatives has been drawn to a lead frontage report with the title “Bankole Confirms Coup Threat” as reported in the “Nigerian Tribune “of March 3, 2010.

The news report, which was not attributed to Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, the Speaker of the House or any named member of the House purports to report the issues discussed in an executive (close door) session of the House to deliberate on the possibility of discussing the utterances of Pro. Dora Akunyili, the Minister of Information and a motion relating to the deployment of troops for the arrival of President Umaru Yar’Adua from Saudi Arabia.

We state with all emphasis that at no point in the session did the Speaker confirm a “Coup Threat” or plot as speculatively reported in the lead story and we challenge the reporter to provide proof or name any member or members that confirmed a coup threat.

Rt. Hon. Bankole has been statemanly in the handling of issues relating to the political impasse in the country and would not join the bandwagon of those fanning embers of disunity, instability and discord to achieve their selfish political agenda.

Rt. Hon. Bankole with his military background believes in the often reiterated commitment of the military high command to professionalism and subjecting to civil authority in their roles and functions for peace, progress and unity of the country.

The Speaker has no knowledge, proof or evidence of a “ Coup Threat” or plot and anyone alleging such devilish threat to our nascent democracy should be bold to come out to assist relevant authorities in preventing such an occurrence. There is no truth in the story alleging that “Bankole confirms Coup Threat”. We have no record of such confirmation.



Signed:

Chief Kayode Odunaro JP

Special Adviser, Communications to

Hon. Speaker, House of Representatives



As I post this I am in a press conference jointly addressed By Chairman of the House Committee on Media Hon Eseme Eyibo, Hon Wole Oke, Chairman of House Committee on Defense and Hon. Usman Bature, Chairman of House Committee on Foriegn Affairs. they all denied that the issue of coup was ever discussed in the executive session and urge everybody to be cautious in reportage of such sensitive issues in the interest of our democracy.