Dogara, Gbajabiamila factions reconcile, assure S/East caucus of adequate compensation

Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives on Thursday night initiated a high-profile reconciliation meeting which signalled the end of the lingering crisis within the rank and file of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the Lower Chamber.

The meeting which was attended by Femi Gbajabiamila, Majority Leader and Loyalists Group faction, lasted for over three hours.

Speaking at the end of the APC caucus meeting, Dogara who urged APC lawmakers to jettison their differences, stressed the need for the members to sheath sword in the interest of the country.

He said “there are no more factions in the House, what we have today is a group of lawmakers loyal to the House leadership and our great party.

“It is only in unity that we can positively contribute to the change we all worked for and move Nigeria forward towards our desired dream of a greater nation.”

While reacting to the non-representation of the South-East caucus in the principal offices, the Speaker assured that the leadership of the House is  already working on that, to see how the zone will be adequately compensated.”

In his remarks, Femi Gbajabiamila, Majority Leader who expressed delight over the reunion urged members to move on.

He said “there are no longer factions in the House, whatever happened earlier is now behind us and we are ready to serve Nigerians to the best of our ability”.

Gbajabiamila who urged the aggrieved South-East members not to allow the issue of ethnicity to polarize the party. “It is not right to play the ethnicity or regional card for now but they will be adequately compensated.”

Also speaking, Abiodun Faleke (APC-Lagos) said: “We are no longer fighting as you can see, we are now ready to work with other legislators and move our dear country forward”.

while expressing his view, Abdulmunin Jibrin (APC-Kano) who played leading role in the Consolidation Group however noted that the meeting has healed all wounds there is nobody here that is nursing any anger or ill-feelings any longer.

Meanwhile, Chike Okafor (APC-Imo) who was tipped as Deputy Whip, urged the APC leadership to desist from placing the South East on the fringes in the scheme of things.

Okafor expressed reservation over the marginalisation of the South East caucus in the composition of the House leadership, however said the final position is that South East is the only zone that is excluded from the leadership caucus while one zone has two plum positions.

“This is the first time we are having this scenario since 1999. On principle, I accept the outcome of that session in good faith and sincerely congratulate the new leadership of the House as presently constituted,” Okafor said.

“I have no reservation whatsoever in their ability to steer the ship of the Green Chambers. However, in view of the realities so vividly pictured in the process of constituting the leadership of the National Assembly, I am constrained to plead with our great party the All Progressive Congress to review its definition of inclusiveness and rethink its perception and treatment of the South East zone.”