‘Speaker lied about not receiving my letter’ - Minority Leader

Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has expressed shock at why the Speaker of Parliament Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye would deny receiving a letter from him on how the House can deal with the spread of novel coronavirus.

The Minority Leader said the Speaker denied knowledge of the letter when in fact and by all records it was received by his [Speaker’s] office.

He disclosed to the media at a press briefing that some two persons have been sacked by the speaker because he is now pretending that he didn’t know the letter was received.

Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu in a March 20 letter suggested, among other things, the establishment of a bipartisan committee to deal with the spread of the virus.

But the Speaker in response said he was surprised that the letter has been making the rounds in the public when he had not received it.

He was also surprised that Mr Iddrisu did not go through the right channel, per the dictates of the House in getting his concerns across.

“If it is only a matter of a bill, the Minority Leader knows the processes that must be followed with regards to the business of this House. I will like that in this House, we go by the rules,” the Speaker said.

But Mr. Iddrisu stated emphatically that the Speaker and the Majority Leader received copies of the letter.

The Minority Leader opined the Speaker could have called him on the matter but chose to use the Public Affairs Directorate of Parliament, to run riot with his hard built reputation and character.

”I would only lie to save a marriage but not lie about a letter,” he said.

The legislator said he felt disappointed at the action by the Speaker to call him dishonest despite the respect he has for him.

”If you don’t respect my integrity to that level, can I confide in you,” he quizzed.