?Prof. Pat Utomi, the 2011 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Mega Party(SDMP), on Friday?said that the removal of Farouk Lawan as the Chairman of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy over allegations of bribery, called for “deep introspection''.
Similarly, the Patriotic Alliance of Nigeria (PAN), an association of opposition political parties, and the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), have described the removal as a challenge to the executive.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the House of Representatives on Friday removed Lawan as chairman of? the committee.
In his reaction, Utomi told NAN that the suspension was neither a moment for joy or sadness as it called for reflections on the way out of corruption in Nigeria.
“It is a tragic melee and shows the weakness of our anti-corruption institutions,'' he said.
Utomi pointed out that what the House did was not extraordinary as it was the practice all over the world when such issues occurred.
“The collapse of culture has led to total loss of faith in the political institutions by Nigerian people.
“What is required is a rethink of the entire system. It is not working. The political class sees its position as an opportunity to rip off the Nigerian people,” he said.
According to him, until there is a comprehensive re-programme of the system, Nigeria will continue to go round in circles.
In his reaction, the National Coordinator of PAN, Chief Maxi Okwu, said that the challenge now was for the executive to implement the subsidy report in spite of the bribery allegations.
“The House has declared its total endorsement of? the report by the removal (of Lawan),” he said.
He said that the removal was to be expected as it was in line with the standing?order of the House and it could not have gone any other way.
The Lagos State chairman of the CLO, Mr Ehi Omokhuale, told NAN that Lawan's removal was a welcome development.
“It means that we are gradually getting to the root of corruption in Nigeria.
“The allegations and the ensuing suspension justified comments calling some of the House members names,” he said.
Omokhuale, however, challenged the Federal Government to take tackle corruption headlong.
“We must get to the end of this very scandal. There must not be sacred cows. There are more cows out there that must be brought to book,” he said.
In his reactions, Mr Austin Nnorom, the South West Secretary of the CNPP, said that the report of the committee should be put on hold until investigations were completed.
“If Lawan headed that committee and was later found culpable, it will make nonsense of the nation to adopt the report,” he said. (NAN)