…as Dogara postpones resumption to July 28
Following the failure of the reconciliatory committee chaired by Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal to resolve the lingering crisis on the zoning of the principal offices, Speaker Yakubu Dogara has rescheduled the resumption date to July 28, 2015.
The speaker had initially fixed July 23, 2015 to enable the House reconcile the two factions namely: Dogara’s supporters known as the Unity Group and Femi Gbajabiamila’s Loyalist Group.
Speaking recently, Dogara assured that the crisis would be resolved before July 23rd resumption date, adding that efforts were underway with the APC leadership to restore peace to the House.
Dogara’s faction led by Jibrin Abdulmumin (APC-Kano) after over two weeks after the conclusion of the election disclosed that the caucus had conceded the slot of the House Leader to Gbajabiamila’s faction but with a caveat, that the slot should not be zoned to the North-East and South-West which had produced Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
While giving update on the reconciliatory efforts made so far, Mark Gbillah (APC Benue) in a chat with BD SUNDAY, argued that the speaker’s stance was in tandem with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Gbillah, who is also a member of the Ad-hoc Committee on Media and Publicity, queried the intent behind insistence on depriving other geo-political zones from being represented in the principal offices in the House.
“Mr. Speaker is standing on the provisions of the constitution, the standing orders of the House and statutory precedence in the choice of the principal officers of the House just like the Senate did.
“Is it better for Nigerians that certain detractors hold this administration to ransom and perpetrate impunity in our polity or should justice, equity and the rule of law be upheld?
“Is the country not better for it that the Senate upheld statutory provisions? Should the House be any different? Even after offering them the option of selecting the House Leader from their group as long as the individual is not from the two zones already occupying the presiding officer’s seats, they rejected the offer.
“Why are they insisting on certain people occupying these positions? Is this not clear they have an agenda? Has this ever happened in the history of the National Assembly even during the reign of the PDP?
“Nigerians need to rise up and confront Gbaja, his sponsor and his group if they want justice to be done, it has nothing to do with the speaker,” Gbillah urged.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA
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