Nigerian lawmakers declared today they are ready to launch the first stage of impeachment proceedings against embattled President Olusegun Obasanjo.
They allege Mr Obasanjo has abused his power to slash parliamentary approved spending and increase spending on his pet projects. He is also blamed for two mass killings of civilians by soldiers in 1999 and 2001.
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President Olusegun Obasanjo
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Only 120 representative's signatures, from a 360-member house, are required to launch the procedure. Most MPs are members of Mr Obasanjo's fractious ruling party, the PDP.
The President insists he has acted within his powers, arguing that parliament's budget appropriation sets an upper limit on spending and that the executive is free to spend less and set priorities.
But lawmakers claim Mr Obasanjo allowed spending on the controversial national stadium in Abuja to exceed an allocated 38 billion naira (€300 million), already more than the annual health budget.
He also allegedly ordered three billion naira (€24 million) to be spent on houses for 63 government ministers, without parliament's approval. At the same time he has slashed 44 per cent from parliament's approved 2002 capital budget.
AFP