LAWMAKERS MAY LOSE DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS

There were feelers last night that the federal government has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to revoke all diplomatic passports in the possession of senators and members of the House of Representatives.

The move has been linked to the strained relationship between the presidency and the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives whose members have, in the last few days, moved to the Kawu Baraje-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) known as “new PDP”.

Since the news broke on Friday night, legislators have been calling one another to ascertain the truth or otherwise of the allegation. While some of them allege that the comptroller-general of immigration is behind it, others say it is aimed at giving the lawmakers a hint of things to come if they do not fall into line.

But the ministry told LEADERSHIP Sunday that it does not issue diplomatic passports and therefore cannot withdraw them from the lawmakers.  It said the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) was solely responsible for the issuance of diplomatic passports to the beneficiaries.

A competent NIS source said the agency was not aware of the directive, but remarked that members of the National Assembly are not qualified to own diplomatic passports.

The official listed public officials qualified to own the vital travel document as the president, vice president, governors, the principal officers of the National Assembly and those who interface on behalf of the federal government, such as the key officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Planning Commission (NPC).

He said the process of acquiring the diplomatic passports had been bastardised such that traditional rulers, their wives and directors of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) were now in possession of the document.

The official added that there have been moves to mop up the document, adding that the alleged bid by the federal government to exclude the lawmakers from owning diplomatic passports may be connected with the “new order”.

In a reaction last night, presidential spokesman Dr Reuben Abati, in an e-mail to LEADERSHIP Sunday, said it was not true. “Another fabrication by those who are determined to create disaffection between the executive and the legislature. Not worth any resort to sensation and journalistic mischief,” he wrote.

But LEADERSHIP Sunday gathered that though there have been no official communication to that effect, as at the time of going to press, the plan had been concluded and a circular to officially convey the decision would be sent either tomorrow or in the course of the week.

A lawmaker told LEADERSHIP Sunday: “We have been hearing the same thing that our diplomatic passports have been withdrawn on the orders of Mr President. If that is true, then, the battle line is drawn because it would mean that his actions are aimed at stifling members of the opposition in the House, especially “new PDP” members. We are waiting for an official communication to that effect and we will take it from there.”

Approval for diplomatic passports to be issued to legislators was given by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. Before then, members of the National Assembly did not fall under the category of holders of diplomatic passports.

Members of the House of Representatives had last year asked the Ministry of Interior under the leadership of Abba Moro to whittle down the power of the president to solely approve who holds that category of passports.

Another lawmaker who did not want his name mentioned in print stated that “if the aim is to victimise perceived enemies of the president, then, the plot has failed, since they still have their normal green passports to travel with.

“I see it as a breach of my right because it is my entitlement, but it is not that much of a problem because if I want to travel today, I will use my green passport without problems. I understand that this is the handiwork of the comptroller-general of immigration who is eager to please Mr President,” he said.

Responding to the allegation, the spokesman of the House, Hon. Zakari Mohammed, said unless something happens, “the whole thing remains a rumour because the National Assembly has not been informed of any such development”.

“We have no official communication or circular to that effect, so I cannot comment on it. I am not aware of anything like that,” he said.

Foreign ministry’s spokesperson, Mr Ogbole Ode, said that the ministry’s role in the issuance of diplomatic passports was just to give an approval letter.

 “I think you should channel your question to the NIS because they are the ones that issue diplomatic passports, not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Affairs ministry only issues approval letter,” he said.

Source - Leadership