The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Dogara

  • Nigerian Peace Corps bill scales second reading

    Nigerian Peace Corps bill scales second reading

    The House of Representatives has described the Nigerian Peace Corps (NPC) as an effective tool towards curbing insurgency, kidnapping and other social vices in the country.

    According to the lawmakers, while passing the bill for second reading, if passed into law, the Corps also has the capacity to provide alternative employment for Nigerian youths, facilitate peace, community services and nation building.

    The lawmakers pointed out that what aide the passage of the bill was the capacity of the Corps to assist the military and para – military organization in arresting security challenges.

    Sponsor of the bill, Abdullahi Faruk, in his lead debate said the bill sought to provide civic and patriotic training as well as alternative employment.

    “If passed into law, the NPC will provide positive engagement of the youths with a view to pre-occupy them in ventures that would make them economically productive to themselves and larger society.

    “Currently in Nigeria, we are investing a lot of energies and resources to contain the menace of insurgency, militancy, kidnapping, vandalism, armed robbery, political thuggery, drug trafficking, prostitution, suicide bombing, cattle rustling and a host of other social vices.

    “These vices no doubt constitute social challenges that have retrogressive effects and implications on the economic development and security of the nation.

    “This bill seeks to give statutory functions to the existing peace corps of Nigeria which currently has over 98,000 members with well structured network of branches in 34 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory and observing adequately all its stated functions, and achievement of no small measure for an NGO.”

    The Nigerian Peace Corps was established 17 years ago alongside the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

    The bill successfully scaled second reading after it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.

  • Dogara to Enugu: Ugwuanyi will perform

    Dogara to Enugu: Ugwuanyi will perform

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara has assured the people of Enugu State that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi will deliver on his campaign promises.

    Dogara was speaking at a reception organised for the governor by the Enugu North Senatorial District at the Government Field, GRA, Nsukka.

    He said, “I have no doubt of the kind of leadership he will bring to the table of Enugu State; he is so progressive-minded. When I was defecting to APC from PDP, I regretted that I did not go with Ugwuanyi. He is passionate about progress and is progressive-minded.”

    Governor Ugwuanyi who was conferred with a chieftaincy title of Gburugburu Nsukka Zone by Igwe Raphael S.N. Eze thanked the people of the zone for organising the reception and for the title conferred on him.

    He also thanked the people of the state for their support, promising to take the state to the next level.

    The chief host and Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District, Chuka Utaziý went down memory lane as he traced the root of the people of the zone to Adada, saying that “all citizens of Nsukka Senatorial Zone of all persuasions, coming together in single-minded purpose to honour our illustrious son, is only a reflection of that characteristic of Ndi Adada.”

    He commended the governor’s initiative to flag off the construction of eight major roads across the three senatorial districts of the state in spite of the negative development in the nation’s economy, adding that it was an indication that he was a worthy leader.

    Utazi told the governor that “we are here gathered to say in one breath and in one voice, hearty congratulations to you on your well-deserved victory in the 2015 gubernatorial elections in Enugu State.

    “Your victory is a reflection of the appreciation of the people for your years of distinguished public service. Destiny has beckoned on you at this time to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of leadership in Enugu State.

    “We are confident that your pedigree and inscrutable focus shall move our people many years ahead. You are carrying the aggregate of the hopes of a people. We know you will be a leading light of this generation in terms of the quality of leadership you would demonstrate.”

    Senator Utazi noted with delight that within five months Ugwuanyi assumed office, he has calibrated the directional compass for sustainable development and enduring peace in the state.

    “Your strategic policy initiative, driven by the visionary urban renewal programme, is already yielding concrete dividends. You have brought all hands on deck in your transformative leadership with orientation for team work.

    “Your style has brought leaders and followers together, irrespective of divergent persuasions, into the ship of stewardship headed towards a safe harbour. Also worthy of commendation is your avowed commitment to maintain a character of balance and even handedness in running the affairs of Enugu State.

    “Your trademark of openness, all-inclusiveness, transparency and accountability as well as consistency in upholding democratic principles are, in like manner, commended and encouraged,” he said.

    Other dignitaries who attended the grand reception which was preceded by a thanksgiving mass held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Cathedral, Nsukka included the Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State; Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu; Senator Gil Nnaji; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Pius Anyim Pius; former Enugu State Governor, Mr Sullivan Chimeý; Speaker of Enugu House of Assembly, Hon Edward Ubosi.

    Others are billionaire businessman, Prince Arthur Eze; former Information Minister, Chief John Nwodo Jnr, Hon Toby Okechukwu and Hon Pat Asadu, among others.

     

  • Dogara overrules majority on pro-Biafra debate

    SPEAKER of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara yesterday ruled against the majority, which did not want  the pro-Biafra agitation debated.

    Dogara said such sensitive subjects could not be swept under the carpet, considering the unfolding events associated with it.

    But many members voted against debating the matter when it was put to a voice vote.

    Although there were fewer legislators, who wanted the matter discussed, Dogara decided to go with the minority.

    The drama began when Sunday Karimi (PDP, Kogi)  introduced the motion on the need to debate the call for violence by the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), as a matter of urgent public importance.

    He said the motion was not listed on the previous order paper.

    Many legislators felt the motion was not urgent enough to be debated, but the ‘ayes’ as usual had it, as the Speaker overruled the ‘nays’, who did not want a debate.

    The second leg of the question on whether rules be stepped down for the motion to be taken was also met with ‘nays’.

    The Speaker ruled again against the nays and said the motion would be taken on the next legislative day, since the sponsor was travelling today.

  • NASS seeks new PIB

    NASS seeks new PIB

    The National Assembly on Monday asked President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly transmit a new Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to the parliament for consideration and passage into law.

    The lawmakers described the PIB as one of the most important pieces of legislation that should be quickly considered and passed in the interest of the country.

    Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, made the call at the Tuesday opening ceremony of the National Assembly Dialogue on Economy, Security and Development in Abuja.

    The forum was organized by the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS).

    Dogara, who insisted that investment decisions in the petroleum sector could no longer wait, said government cannot ignore efforts to rearrange  the sector in a manner that would benefit the nation.

    The Speaker noted that it was important for President Buhari, as Minister of Petroleum, to transmit a new PIB to the National Assembly for consideration and passage into law.

    He said the immediate transmission of a new PIB to the National Assembly had become even more compelling because oil and gas still accounts for over 70 per cent of the country’s foreign exchange earnings despite the rapid drop in oil prices.

  • N10m alleged bribe: Group petitions Saraki, Dogara

    N10m alleged bribe: Group petitions Saraki, Dogara

    A group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HRWAN), yesterday submitted a petition to the two chambers of the National Assembly, demanding probe of N10million alleged bribe involving the Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Justice. Danladi Umar.

    The petition was endorsed by the group’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko.

    It was addressed to Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and dated November 10.

    The date of the receipt of the petition in the Office of the Senate President is also November 10.

    HRWAN claimed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had started an investigation into the alleged bribery allegations levelled against Umar and his personal assistant, Mr. Ali Gambo Abdullahi.

    It noted that as a civil society group, whose main objective is advocacy and protection of human rights, the probe of the CCT boss would send a strong signal to those still doubting President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption war.

    The petition reads: “We write to bring to your attention for further investigation and necessary action, a report of likely conspiracy by the EFCC, Office of the Attorney- General of the Federation and the Code of Conduct Tribunal to remove the Senate President from office, using the instrumentality of their public offices to achieve their aims.”

    HRWAN claimed that the EFCC, through the CCT,  launched a counter-attack on Saraki, following the decision of the Senate to probe the former Chairman of the anti- graft agency, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, in August.

    It said that “the Senate  recently launched an investigation against the activities of the chairman of the EFCC. The EFCC as a counter-attack initiated and launched the prosecution of the Senate President as a retaliatory measure, using the offices of the Attorney-General of the Federation and a highly compromised Code of Conduct Tribunal to achieve their aim of removing the Senate President from office.

    “The EFCC is aware that a compromised Code of Conduct Tribunal will always do its bidding because it has already concluded investigation into a N10 million bribery allegation against the Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar and his personal assistant, Mr. Ali Gambo Abdullahi.”

    The group claimed that the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke, had given a written directive to the EFCC to proceed to prosecute the accused, but that the anti- graft agency, for reasons best known to it, decided to file charges against only Abdullahi, the personal assistant.

    It said both chambers of the National Assembly should note that the so- called investigation report in the trial of the Senate President at the CCT was probably prepared by the EFCC and that the prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs, is a well-known EFCC counsel.

    Part of the petition reads:  “The Senate and the House of Representatives should further note that the chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal is still standing on EFCC administrative bail of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira).

    “The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in collaboration with their counterpart in the House of Representatives have the constitutional powers to recommend to Mr. President to remove any person found culpable in the above abuse of offices for inability to discharge the functions of that office on the grounds of misconduct or for contravention of the laws.”

     

  • Dogara defends creation of more committees at inauguration

    Dogara defends creation of more committees at inauguration

    •House Leader Gbajabiamila shuns event

    THOSE WHO RESIGNED COMMITTEES’ MEMBERSHIP

    • Garba Mohammed Datti (APC Kano) Chairman, Committee on Solid Minerals Development
    • Sunday Adepoju (APC Oyo), Deputy Chairman, Committee on Special Duties
    • Hassan Saleh (PDP Benue) Deputy Chairman, Committee on Local Content
    • Chika Adamu Deputy Chairman (APC NIGER), Committee on Legislative ComplianceHOUSE of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara yesterday inaugurated 96 committees in a special session. But, the session showed more of the division in the House than the unity.

      The face-off over distribution of Committee between Dogara and Majority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila came to a head yesterday as the latter shunned the inauguration of the committees.

      Gbajabiamila’s absence was conspicuous at the event witnessed by the Senate President Bukola Saraki, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachri David Lawal, former presiding and principal officers of the House, representatives of the Service Chiefs and former legislators among others.

      Gbajabiamila’s duty of presenting the opening remarks was taken over by the Deputy Majority Leader, Buba Jubril.

      However, after some goodwill messages and keynote address by former Deputy Speaker Chibudom Nwuche, the Speaker delivered his speech and defended the creation of additional committees.

      There were 89 standing committees in the Seventh House of Representaives which the Speaker raised penultimate week when he announced chairmen and deputies for 96 committees.

      Dogara yesterday downplayed public perception of ‘juicy and non-juicy committees’, saying all committees have equal importance.

      His words: “Some commentators have decried the large number of committees as being unwieldy and not cost effective. This criticism, even though, apparently well-intentioned, misses the point.

      “Experience gained from the operation of committees since 1999, shows that some committees’ functions and mandates are very wide indeed and cannot be effectively supervised and over sighted by a single committee.

      “For instance, the House split the Committee on Education into two, namely: Basic Education and Services and Tertiary Education and Services.

      “The old Committee on Education had a mandate to oversight the budget and policy issues of the following institutions – 104 unity schools; 22 federal colleges of education; 36 federal universities and 24 federal polytechnics.

      “There is no way a single Committee can adequately oversight all these agencies with House members also attending to other issues in Plenary Sessions, like lawmaking and other representational responsibilities.

      “For instance, the United States (U.S.) Congress has about 22 standing and select committees but about 100 sub-committees.

      “This reasoning also informed the splitting of other committees, like Health which has about 150 institutions. Agriculture Committee was also split for the same reason. There is merit sometimes in setting up specific committees to handle specific problems.”

      He said the reasons given above informed the creation of the new committee on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Refugees, and Initiatives on the Northeast.

      Dogara reiterated further that the multiplicity of committees was to check corruption and impunity in government, saying, “undoubtedly the legislature remains the only institution with appropriate constitutional and statutory powers to check the executive arm and ensure that it discharges its mandate to the full benefit of all Nigerians”.

      He said, there was nothing like juicy committee, as all committees have equal importance.

      Dogara said: “The media has been awash with how some members got ‘juicy committees’ and some didn’t. Let me use this opportunity to restate that there is nothing like juicy committee or non-juicy committee. I personally do not understand what is meant by that.

      “If it means opportunity to contribute, we can assure you that every member of a committee would enjoy ample and equal opportunity.

      “Every committee of the House is very important and is designed to handle specific functions for the House and on behalf of the Nigerian people who elected us.”

      Saraki, who was given a rousing ovation before and after reading his goodwill speech, assured Nigerians of the readiness of the lawmakers to discharge their responsibilities with diligence.

      He noted that it is incumbent on the lawmakers to find solutions to the nation’s plethora of challenges.

      The Senate President said: “As the highest law-making body in the country, we have a huge task ahead of us, to find answers to our numerous problems.

      “The committee system is the veritable tool that helps to organize the most important works including considering, shaping, and passing our laws. They remain the most potent system for oversight and therefore anti-corruption.

      “In this vein therefore, may I enjoin the new committees to operate above board. This has become necessary as we seek to re-engineer our economy and introduce a new regime of openness, efficiency, probity and institutional integrity.

      “We cannot afford to fail Nigerians. Our citizens have demanded for change and we must give it to them through cooperation and diligence. The legislative agendas of both chambers converge in so many ways, I wish to use this opportunity to also solicit that we speedily dispatch issues for which we have consensus and reduce the time taken to pass critical legislation before us.”

      The Chief Whip, Ado Doguwa, admitted the existence of a wide crack in the House.

      In his vote of thanks, the lawmaker pledged solidarity of the nine principal officers to the Speaker’s leadership.

      “We stand by what you have done. We stand by the position of the leadership. Nine of us are religiously behind you Mr. Speaker,” he said.

      Responding to a question on the absence of the House Leader, the Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Media & Publicity, Jonathan Gaza, said: “I do not know why he was absent, but I believe it was for a good cause.”

      He described Gbajabiamila’s absence as unfortunate and added that the country should be bigger than one.

      His words: “Time has been wasted on several things…when you walk into that Chamber; it’s not about party anymore. We swore allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not to our respective parties. It is therefore about the progress of Nigeria. The wheel of governance is spinning and Nigeria would begin its upward move.”

      Speaking for all chairmen and deputies at the close of the event, Abdulmumin Jibrin, who is the chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, prayed for patience for Dogara.

      He said: “We will pray that God almighty increase your patience and humility even when it is tested. May God almighty increase your courage to always stand to the truth and for what is right. May God almighty guide you, protect you and increase your wisdom as you continue to preside over the affairs of this House. You are Speaker ordained by God and He alone will continue to protect you and us until the end of these four years and beyond.”

      There was a rash of resignations by members who were uncomfortable with the constitution of the committees prior to yesterday’s inauguration.

      The Deputy Minority Whip in the Seventh House and a member of the APC, Garba Mohammed Datti, was the first to resign as Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals Development.

      He was followed by Sunday Adepoju (APC Oyo), who resigned as deputy chairman, Committee on Special Duties.

      Another member from Benue State, Hassan Saleh (PDP) formerly communicated his rejection of the deputy chairmanship of the Committee on Local Content to the Speaker.

      Also Chika Adamu resigned his committee position as deputy chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Compliance.

  • Dogara moves to prevent mass resignation

    Dogara moves to prevent mass resignation

    •House Leader to Speaker: you’re undermining principal offices

    HOUSE of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara yesterday moved to avert the impending mass resignation of committee chairmen and their deputies.

    The looming tsunami, if unchecked, could derail the fragile but the much-needed unity in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

    Dogara, who just returned from a trip to Israel, met with all the committee chairmen and deputies in Room 0.28 where he appealed to them to hold on to their committees in the interest of peace and the development of the nation.

    Some principal officers and All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the House have cried foul over the allegedly skewed Committee leadership selection and accused Dogara of high-handedness, saying opinions of others in different camps no longer matter in key decision making.

    Before Dogara’s arrival from Israel, two members of the House, Mohammed Datti Garba and Sunday Adepoju had resigned their committee positions.

    The letters of other who allegedly resigned were yet to be read on the floor of the House.

    The Nation also learnt that at yesterday’s meeting, Dogara urged committee chairmen and deputies to work harmoniously so that the House can have positive achievement to give during the mid-year report.

    He also urged members of the committees to shun scandals of money requests from institutions and personalities which tainted the Sixth and the Seventh Houses.

    Though members of the leadership were at the meeting, the Leader of the House, Femi Gajabiamila was absent. He was said to be at the APC National Secretariat to keep an appointment that was not disclosed.

    However, a letter addressed to the Speaker by House Leader, lent credence to allegations that Dogara was not in a hurry to carry along those opposed to his leadership of the House within the APC, in key decision making.

    The letter, dated October 20 reads: “You would recall that I have on several occasions in the last four weeks, met with you both at home and in your office to get an understanding and appreciation of what was going on with the composition and appointment of chairmen and deputy chairmen of House Committees.

    “I did this because of the incessant rumour that same had been composed. On each occasion, you assured me that nothing had been done. From all indications however, it appears that an announcement of chairmen and deputy chairmen is imminent and such may be done this week.

    “I acknowledge your right and prerogative to determine the leadership of the House committees and I intend to work with you after such determination has been made.

    “I intend and have stated on many occasions privately and publicly to work with you for the progress of the House.

    “However, I am constrained at this point to ask that due consideration is given to the provisions of our House Rules. Order 7 Rule 10, paragraph (a) of the House rules which states that ‘the Speaker shall in consultation with principal officers, appoint the chairmen and deputy chairmen from among the members on the committees.’

    “On the role of the Majority/House Leader: Order 7 Rule 27 (2) says that the Leader of the House shall ‘liase with Committee Chairmen and other functionaries of the House

    “In the light of the foregoing provisions of our House rules and in line with parliamentary tradition the world over, undermining the office of the Leader or any other principal officer will not strengthen the legislature or our democracy.

    “The situation where any principal officer whether from the majority or minority party only knows of the appointment referred above upon announcement on the floor will not augur well for the progress of this House.

    “I have taken the liberty to write you on this matter for record purposes and in the hope that every principal office in this House would be given its due as enshrined in our House Rules.”

    The planned mass resignation, The Nation learnt, may not be unconnected to the content and tone of the House Leader’s memo.

     

  • ALGON chief hails Dogara on council autonomy

    President of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Micah Jiba has hailed the effort of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara in ensuring that local governments achieve financial autonomy.

    The Speaker has been trying to get state Houses of Assembly to support moves to grant autonomy to the councils.

    In a statement issued by the ALGON president stated that granting financial autonomy to local governments will alleviate suffering and underdevelopment at the grassroots as a result of lack of financial freedom for the local governments in the country.

    Jiba stated that he wondered why the idea of financial autonomy was initially rejected by the state Assemblies, adding that the issues has become necessary following the fact that the new government in power has also declared to Nigerian on its inaugural speech that granting a local government autonomy is one of its priority.

    “It very difficult to see a local government embarked on gigantic project because of paucity of fund. But I am not saying that meaningful projects are not carried out by some of us especially in Abuja but we go to extra mile to be able to do that in our localities, for example AMAC was able to embarked upon and completed merger road projects at AMVE, 5 kilometers road at Orozo, Kabusa and a bridge at Gwagwalape only because of the passion to alleviate the suffering of the rural dwellers.

    “So if there is independence in the Nigerian local government we will do more and the burden of less development at the grassroots level will be finally lifted”

    He therefore, called on well meaning Nigerians to support the idea of the local government autonomy in order to ensure that dividend of democracy in this administration is delivered to the people of Nigeria.

    Jiba also expressed gratitude’s to speaker of the House of representatives Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara for using his office to solicit support for the local government autonomy and adding that if actualized his name will be written bold in gold when Nigeria history is written again.

    He further prayed the Almighty God to continue to give the speaker of the House the needed wisdom to deliver the mandates to the people of Nigeria and concluded that the 774 local of Nigeria represented by ALGON has concluded plans to pay the speaker of the Nigerian House of Assembly a courtesy visit in no distant time.

  • House crisis: APC lawmakers poised for showdown with Dogara

    House crisis: APC lawmakers poised for showdown with Dogara

    • More to reject committee positions

    A fresh crisis is brewing between House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara and some members of his party -All Progressives Congress- in the Green Chamber, this time over the recent constitution of committees in the House.

    Dogara whose emergence as Speaker on June 9 pitched him against many party members   and the APC leadership is accused of conceding too many positions to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the appointment of the committee chairmen and vice chairmen as well as filling the juicy committees with non-APC members.

    They wonder why the Southeast and Southsouth which voted against the party in the last elections should be given as many as 17 chairmanship/10 vice chairmanship positions, and 14 chairmanship/17 vice chairmanship positions respectively.

    Supporters of Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, Dogara’s rival for the speakership, are shouting marginalisation in the constitution of the committees and want a redress immediately.

    Garba Datti Muhammed (Sabon Gari Kaduna) and Sunday Adepoju (Ibarapa East/Ido Oyo State) have already rejected their own appointments.

    Muhammed was named chairman of the Committee on Solid Minerals Development and Adepoju, deputy chairman of the committee on special duties.

    It is understood that more Representatives who are disenchanted with the appointments are warming up to announce their rejection of the positions given to them.

    The angry lawmakers, according to reliable sources, are insisting that the current composition of the committees must not stand.

    The development was confirmed by some House of Representatives members from Kaduna, Lagos, Osun and Edo States, who believe that anything short of the reconstitution of the committees would only enable the minority Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seize control of the House.

    Tempers first rose in the House on October 22 when the committee chairmen and vice chairmen were unveiled.

    In all 194 standing committees were constituted.

    The chairmanship/vice chairmanship positions of the committees were shared as follows:

    • Southwest -Chairmanship 15/Vice Chairmanship 14
    • Southeast-Chairmanship 17/ Vice Chairmanship 10
    • Southsouth- Chairmanship 14/ Vice Chairmanship 17
    • Northwest- Chairmanship 19/ Vice Chairmanship 29
    • Northeast- Chairmanship 13/ Vice Chairmanship 10
    • Northcentral- Chairmanship 16/ Vice Chairmanship 15
    • FCT- Chairmanship 1/ Vice Chairmanship 1

    The House leadership replaced Datti with another lawmaker from his state, Suleiman Samalia, but is yet to react to Adepoju’s decision to reject his appointment.

    Datti and Adepoju are Gbajabiamila’s supporters.

    Muhammed, in announcing his resignation, said he was not consulted before his appointment.

    “I feel as a former principal officer, I should have been consulted before my name was announced. I just heard of it on the floor. And I have my own principles. I have decided on my own to withdraw as the chairman of that committee,” he said.

    For his part, Adepoju said: “It’s nothing personal but we have a duty to ensure that the party we all fought for and succeeded in taking this far should not fail. Conceding key committees to the opposition is another  way of ensuring that the  programmes APC has for this country are truncated.”

    The Nation also gathered that more lawmakers, especially those in the camp of House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, may announce their rejection of committee positions in a move that is meant to express the group’s rejection of alleged attempt by Dogara to sideline APC lawmakers in the day to day running of the Green Chamber.

    Muhammed said it is unacceptable to APC members as  the majority party in the House, to have PDP lawmakers manning the most sensitive committees as announced by the Speaker.

    Other sources said members opposed to Dogara’s are mobilising with the sole aim of ensuring that  the House leadership reviews the committee appointments.

    Gbajabiamila has reportedly been inundated with complaints and he is party.

    He is said to have advised the aggrieved Reps to make their views known to the APC leadership.

    A source said:”we have learnt a big lesson from what happened during the tussle for the Speakership. We are not going to wait endlessly on the party to reject this anomaly.

    “We have decided to move against this obvious impunity. I can tell you that the Majority Leader was not properly carried along in the constitution of these committees. This is against the spirit of democracy.

    “As the majority party in the House, and the party in government at the federal level, we must not make the mistake of being pushed to the position of minor partner in this government. If we do that, then the change we promised the people is threatened. That is why we have resolved to resist this attempt to sideline us in our own government.”

    Another source told The Nation that the APC caucus in the House is reviewing the development with a view to taking a decision.

    “We are meeting by the weekend to discuss the development. We want to hear what actually happened from the principal officers. It is after that we will take a formal position. But as we speak, the popular position is that many of us will toe the line of those rejecting their committee positions,” the source said.

    Gbajabiamila  told reporters on Friday  that contrary to the House  rules, he was not consulted on the selection of the  Committee chairmen by Speaker Dogara.

    His words: “the list speaks for itself. I saw it for the first time at 10a.m., a couple of hours before the announcement was made. This falls short of the consultation with Principal Officers required and mandated by our House rules.”

    The Nation also gathered that the Majority Leader is expected to make a public pronouncement on the development soon. Lawmakers close to him said he is as upset as any of his party men about the treatment meted out to APC lawmakers by the Speaker.

    “I can tell you that the leader will make an official statement on the matter quite soon,” our source said.

  • What Dogara did can derail Democracy -Datti

    What Dogara did can derail Democracy -Datti

    Garba Datti Muhammed representing Sabon Gari Federal Constituency, Kaduna State, rejected his appointment as chairman of the committee on Solid Minerals Development.  He is the former Deputy Minority Leader in the 7th House. In this chat with Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, he further elaborates on his reasons for rejecting the committee.

    The issue of Committees had become an albatross on the neck of the Green Chamber, so much so that you rejected your chairmanship of the Solid Minerals Committee. What were your reasons?

    Well, I have already stated my reasons. Being a former principal officer and a senior member of the House, I thought as a democrat, in democracy, consultation is very necessary. So, I think I should have been contacted at least. To work as a committee chairman is to assist Mr. Speaker in running the House. And I think such critical thing, before being appointed, at least you’ll be consulted. Like in the executive arm, the President cannot just announce you without consulting the people that will serve with him. That’s one reason. The other one, I’m a bit worried with the composition, about how the committees were shared. This is a government of change and we have been in the opposition for the last 16 years and the National Assembly has been controlled by the majority party, the PDP. Even in the last House in the 7th Assembly, we supported Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to emerge as Speaker, but at the end of the day, all the critical committees he shared it to his own party members -the PDP, people that did not even vote for him. But we were not worried because we knew they were the majority party and it’s the practice all over the world. In the US, we have 16 standing committees and these 16 standing committees, the Republican Party are in the majority. And all the 16 committees are headed by members of the Republican Party. It’s only the deputy committees that are given to the minority. Though I know our own peculiarities may differ, but you cannot as a party give all the sensitive committees to your opponent. It you can recall, just yesterday the National Publicity Secretary to PDP, Olise Metuh came out to say that all the members of the PDP should brace up and oppose this government.

    So, if you’re giving them such committees, what is the implication? For instance, there is agitation that the committee on PIB should be represented. If this PIB committee is represented, all the three Petroleum Committee were given to PDP members. So what do you think will be the outcome of that type of committee? So these are some of our fears and it portends a lot of danger to this our democracy.

    How does it portend a danger to democracy?

    In democracy, you are elected as a party and each party has its own manifestos. And to achieve that, there must be a synergy between the members of the majority party and the ruling party at the same time. So, if you have given such sensitive committees to the opposition and they’re opposed to your policies, how do you achieve it?

    You can now see what is happening in the United States Congress today Obama has been battling with the US House of Representatives because they control the majority. All his efforts about his health care programmes the Obamacare, aside that, lots of serious problems in the House because the majority of the Congressmen are members of the Republican Party. So, that partisanship, you can’t take it out. Even in the Nigerian Senate, you saw what happened just yesterday (Wednesday). The PDP Caucus held a meeting to, take position on the nominations of Mr. president particularly that of Amaechi. So, you can see the danger of Mr. Speaker giving these kinds of committees to the opposition.

    A member from your state, Sumaila Suleiman was given the committee that you dropped and he accepted it. Is it that you don’t all share the same ideology of philosophy?

    I don’t know. Everybody has his own principle. I have my own and I don’t know of his own he may have his own principle. We don’t have to be the same. But all I know is that I’ve resigned that position as a chairman. Because my primary responsibility here is to represent my constituency and I am doing it exactly without being a committee chairman. It’s not everybody that will be a committee chairman or deputy. More than half of the members will not be committee chairmen or deputies and they will still exist and they will still perform. I don’t think it will affect my representation as a member.

    Don’t you think Nigerians on the streets will see your position on this matter and probably of other members that may toe the same line as a fight for pecuniary gains, rather than representation?

    I don’t know, other may go and fight for positions, but me, I did not ask anyone to give me any of these committees. I feel if I’m qualified I will be given and I have the right to accept it or reject it.

    With the way things are going, with the polarization is this House going to achieve even as much as the last House did?

    Well, I cannot say, I cannot predict what will happen. But all I know, I will continue to work for the interest of my own party that gave me the platform to contest. I will work to achieve that change that we have all been yearning for, so that Nigeria will be a better place for everybody

    If tomorrow the House Leadership or the Speaker calls you to serve in a different committee ad hoc or standing, would you accept?

    Well as I told you, at least if you’re going to give me that responsibility, Speaker is the leader of the House, it will be very good for him to call me and say okay,  Honourable so and so, please I want to give you this assignment, because I feel you can handle it…how do you see it? When he gives me that leverage, if I will do it, I will tell him. If I have anyone that I feel can do it better than myself, I will suggest it to Mr. Speaker. It may be the work is too technical. If I’m not professional in that aspect, I will tell him the truth, I will say Mr. Speaker, this is too technical, I cannot handle it, but we have people that are professionals in that field, why not call this person. I think that’s the best way to approach it. This is democracy, consultation is the basis of any democracy, that’s why democracy is different from dictatorship, we should make consultations, interact and exchange ideas.

    But the Chairman of the House committee on Media and Public Affairs reportedly claimed that all parties were informed especially members of the House leadership before the list was released. He said everyone agreed. Is what you’re saying now not different from that?

    Well I don’t know that one. Al I know is that even Femi Gbajabiamila came out openly to say he was never consulted before the constitution of the committees. Maybe they only announced it in his presence. But he was never consulted for anything. He has said it times without number that he was never consulted before the committees were constituted. I also read it in the papers. You can verify from him.

    What about the claims of the House that they did the selection in line with due process, fairness, justice as well as Federal character?

    Anybody can say that. If that’s how they see their justice and fairness, fine, good luck.