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Reports have it that some loyalists to the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila have dumped him in his opposition to the composition of the standing committees of the House.
The lawmakers, it was learnt, have aligned with the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara.
Instead of attending a meeting called by Gbajabiamila at the All Progressive Congress (APC) National Secretariat, the “loyalists” to Gbajabiamila opted to be inaugurated as committee chairmen (and deputy chairmen).
Recall that Gbajabiamila had stated that Speaker Dogara did not carry him along in the process that led to the formation of the various committees. The house had been in crisis since the announcement of the committees which the Gbajabiamila camp say favours the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) more than the ruling party, APC.
See he full list and break down of the 96 committees
In fact, there had been reports that there were plans by some lawmakers in his camp to impeach Gbajabiamila as Majority leader.
But answering questions from journalists after the meeting, Rep Alhassan Ado- Doguwa denied plotting to unseat the House leader, saying the meeting was to address the ongoing misunderstanding amongst the APC members in the House.
“You are all aware of what happened yesterday, where the Honourable Speaker invited and chair a special session of the House of Representatives to inaugurate the standing committees.
“I want to tell you on behalf of the leadership, that the leadership has no crack as far as am concern, as am talking to you honourable Dogara and the leader of the House are in the same room, the office of the Speaker discussing, trying to see how we can moved ahead, “he said.
Supporters of the House leader such as Mohammed Monguno, Rufai Chanchangi (Deputy) and Samil Sulieman were inaugurated on Monday as committee chairmen of Agriculture, customs and Excise and Solid minerals respectively. The Union reports that present for the meeting at the APC National Secretariat includes; Aliyu Madaki, Musa Adar, Ayo Okowa Committed To Security Of Lives, Property –CPS Omidiran and 22 others.
However, speaking on behalf of the loyalists after a meeting which lasted for over 4 hours at the APC National Secretariat, Musa Adar accused the Speaker of not properly belonging to the APC caucus and treachery adding that the sharing of committees equally is not acceptable by them. “Since climbing to the seat Dogara has refused to belong properly to the APC House caucus, frustrating meetings and instead romancing openly with the PDP legislators, including holding clandestine meetings to plot the downfall of our party.
“In furtherance of his treachery he has severally frustrated efforts of patriotic members who wanted to table salutary motions aimed at commending and encouraging Mr. President’s anti corruption measures taken so far.
“In the same vein, the Speaker has continued to suppress critical and dissenting voices from contributing in debates at plenary sessions while shamelessly promoting the dominance of activities of the House by hostile elements of the opposition.
But Rep Mustapha Bala Dawaki said on Tuesday that the attitude of lawmakers perceived to be Rep Femi Gbajabiamila loyalists are uncalled for, saying the primary responsibility of any lawmaker in the 8th Assembly is to adequately represent his constituency not committee chairmanship”.