Police arrest three as RMAFC chiefs clash-it is all about money."

[Igbosa]

Police arrest three as RMAFC chiefs clash
Th Nation 13/3/2009

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

The feud between Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) Chairman, Mr. Hamman Tukur and some of the commissioners is not yet over.
They clashed yesterday in Abuja prompting the police to intervene.

Three of the commissioners were arrested.

Findings revealed that Tukur yesterday convened a review session on the adjustment of salaries of political office holders.

While some commissioners attended the session, which lasted from 9am to 1pm, those against the chairman stayed away.

It was learnt that those who boycotted the session, also held a separate meeting to pass a vote of no confidence on the chairman.

A source said: "In the middle of the review session, the factional group stormed the Conference Hall of RMAFC and wanted to drop a no-confidence letter for the chairman but this led to a rowdy session.

"As the affected factional group members were pointing accusing fingers at the chairman, one of the commissioners from Adamawa State stood in between to prevent exchange of blows. The same commissioner later alerted the Commissioner of Police for FCT Command.

"I think the situation degenerated because two commissioners stabilizing RMAFC-Alhaji Abu Gidado (a former Minister of Finance) and Chief Peter Nwankwo- were not around at the time of the incident."

A top official of the commission also added: "When the factional group could not have their way, one of them later stormed the office of the chairman to pour invectives on Tukur. To avoid fisticuffs, the police commissioner was put on the alert."

It was gathered that an Assistant Commissioner of Police led a 40-man team to the RMAFC Complex in Abuja.

The presence of the police heightened tension in the commission as commissioners engaged in a shouting match.

Tukur and some of the commissioners are expected to report at the FCT Command today to make official statement on the row.

It could not be immediately ascertained what had been causing constant friction between Tukur and his commissioners.

While it was gathered that some of the commissioners were protesting alleged high-handedness by Tukur, another commissioner said "it is all about money."