Dogara-Gbajabiamila Photo Credit: Courtesy www.punchng.com via google
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has said that he informed the principal officers in the house about his choices for members and leaders of House committees, disputing earlier claims by the majority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila.
He however admitted that the consultation held on the same day he made the announcement.
In an October 20 letter made public yesterday, Mr. Gbajabiamila cautioned Mr. Dogara against violating Order 7 Rule 10 paragraph (a) which provides that the Speaker “shall in consultation with principal officers, appoint chairmen and deputy chairmen from among the members of the committees”.
The letter was made public amid apparent discontent among many All Progressives Congress lawmakers, who have accused Mr. Dogara of short-changing the ruling party to strengthen the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in a manner that can “sabotage the change mantra of President Muhammadu Buhari”.
Mr. Gbajabiamila warned in the letter that allowing principal officers to know of the composition upon announcement on the floor of the house, would not augur well for Nigerian democracy and legislature.
Two days after his letter was delivered, Mr. Dogara unveiled the headships of the committees.
A lawmaker, Babban Kaita (APC-Katsina), and an aide to Mr. Gbajabiamila, told PREMIUM TIMES that the composition was made without consultation with the principal officers.
But Mr. Dogara, speaking through his media aide, Turaki Hassan, said all principal officers, including Mr. Gbajabiamila were indeed invited for consultations in respect of the committees.
Mr. Hassan however said the discussion held on the day the speaker announced names of members and leaders of the 96 committees.
“The announcement was around 3.30pm and the meeting between the Speaker, the Majority Leader and other principal officers, held between 9 and 11.30 in the morning,” Mr. Hassan said.
The Speaker asked if there was an objection or observation, he added.
“But he (Gbajabiamila) did not say anything there. He was exchanging banters,” Mr. Hassan said.
He said the speaker was not required by any law to secure the approval of the principal officers before making the announcement.
“I hope somebody is not saying consultation is same as approval,” Mr. Hassan said. “The House Rule does not say the Speaker needs approval before appointing chairmen of committees or even relieving them; rather, it provides for consultation which he did,” he added.
A letter, NASS/SPK/LEG/PC/VOL.1/001 dated October 21, which invited the House’s principal officers for a consultation meeting on the composition of the headships of the committees, slated for October 22, was made available to PREMIUM TIMES.
The letter, signed by the Speaker’s Chief of Staff, Jerry Manwe, was confirmed received by aides at the offices of all principal officers, including that of the Majority Leader.
Adebayo Hassan: Premium Times Correspondent.
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