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Tag: House of Reps

  • Tribunal upholds two Ebonyi Reps members

    Tribunal upholds two Ebonyi Reps members

    The National and State Assembly Elections Petition Tribunal sitting in Abakaliki has upheld the election of two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives members from Ebonyi state.

    The Tribunal headed by Justice John Agya, upheld the elections of Chief Lazarus Ogbee, representing Ikwo/ Ezza South Federal Constituency and Chief Sylvester Ogbaga, representing Abakaliki/ Izzi Federal Constituency.

    The election of both PDP federal lawmakers was challenged by the Labour Party candidates of Chief Tobias Okwuru and Mrs Helen Nwaobashi respectively.

    The tribunal chairman Agya dismissed Okwuru’s petition for lack of merit, ruling that the evidence he provided before the tribunal was not enough to prove his claims of irregularities during the election.

    “His claim of electoral violence, trump-printing ballot-box snatching among others during the elections could not be proved with the evidence submitted.”

    He also noted that the petitioner failed to submit the forensic materials to prove his claims on or before the 21 days period stipulated by law.

    “The tribunal would therefore not grant the petitioner’s prayer for the cancellation of the election and hereby dismiss the petition for lack of merit.

    “The National and State Assembly Petition Tribunal also dismissed Nwaobashi’s petition against Ogbaga, also ruling that it lacked merit.

    “The petitioner could not prove that there were irregularities in the two councils which make up the federal constituency, beyond reasonable doubt.”

    He noted that the petitioner could not prove that there were electoral violence during the elections as the tribunal therefore could not grant her prayers that the elections be cancelled.

  • No plan to strip me of my powers – Lasun

    No plan to strip me of my powers – Lasun

    The Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun has denied that the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara is planning to strip him of some legislative responsibilities.

    It was reported Thursday that an ad hoc committee set up by the Speaker had in its report recommended that the Deputy Speaker cease to be the Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House.

    However, in a reaction by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Wole Oladimeji, the Deputy Speaker said there was no plan by Speaker Dogara to strip him of his legislative powers.

    Besides, the report of the ad hoc Committee has neither been considered nor adopted by the House, he noted.

    It reads: “The House is constitutionally empowered to amend its rules as it deems fit and the process is aimed at enhancing the activities of the House.

    “The 8th Assembly set up an ad hoc committee to review its rule, inaugurated by the Speaker with the Deputy Speaker in attendance and once the review is concluded, the report is expected to be presented to the House for robust debate before it becomes the new House Rule for the 8th assembly.

    “It should be stated clearly that this has not been done, so the rule being referred to as stripping the Deputy Speaker of his function by the Speaker is a figment of the imagination of the writers.

    “It must be stated clearly that the Speaker and Deputy Speaker have an uncommon bond that cannot be threatened nor broken by unsubstantiated report such as this.

    “The entire members of the 8th Assembly is united and solidly behind the leadership they elected and no amount of sponsored reports can threaten the bond and unity that is now reigning supreme in the House.

    “The public should therefore discountenance this report and await the renewed zeal of members to serve Nigeria upon resumption under the leadership of Speaker Yakubu Dogara and ably assisted by the Deputy Speaker.”

  • APC chieftain hails party leaders for resolution of Reps crisis

    APC chieftain hails party leaders for resolution of Reps crisis

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Chief (Dr.) Femi Majekodunmi, on Friday lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the party, on the peaceful resolution of the leadership crisis in the House of Representatives.

    Majekodunmi also hailed other APC national leaders, including the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Senator Bola Tinubu, members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) and National Working Committee (NWC) for the maturity and fatherly roles played in resolving the crisis.

    The Physician and politician who made this known to reporters in Abeokuta, the state capital, stated that the calm and harmony that had now returned to the Lower arm of the National Assembly, showed the party as one that can handle its crisis regardless of the magnitude.

    He said: “what the party has been able to prove is that compromises are hallmark of any political issue, stating that the time has come for politicians to always take the country first in all they do as any office is nothing but an opportunity to serve the people.

    “With the peaceful resolution of the crisis in the House of Representatives, President Buhari, has once again proved that he has what it takes with the other leaders of the party to put the party on a sound footing such that it will continue to be a shinning example for other political parties to emulate.

    “While it is indisputable that crisis cannot be ruled out of any democratic process, the gladiators have been able agree that they are elected to serve the people and thus must at all times engage in compromise to resolve any crisis.”

    According to the Baagbile of Egbaland, with the crisis put behind, APC is poised to deliver the dividends of democracy continually to the teeming Nigerians that voted  it into office as the executive and the legislative arms having forged a common unity, the sky is their limit for the development of the country.

     

  • INEC releases time table for Katsina House of Reps bye-election

    INEC releases time table for Katsina House of Reps bye-election

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the time table for bye-election into the Katsina Federal Constituency.

    According to INEC in house daily bulletin, the election is scheduled to hold on the August 8, 2015.

    A meeting with stakeholders in preparation for the election was held Wednesday July 15, 2015.

    Party primaries and collection of forms according to INEC time table for the bye-election have been slated for July 25, 2015 –August 7, 2015 while the last day for submission of forms is July27, 2015.

    According to the Commission’s daily bulletin, INEC is expected to publish the list of nominated candidates for the election from July 29-30, 2015, while campaign is to end by August 7, 2015.

    Meanwhile, the commission has registered a new political party, the Democratic People’s Congress (DPC), thereby bringing the number of registered parties in the country to 29.

    The approval according to INEC in house bulletin came at the end of Commission’s meeting, held on Friday June19, 2015.

    In a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the party, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Augusta Ogakwu, the party Constitution, Manifesto, Logo/flag and the list of the National Executive Officers were also approved.

    The letter also stated that the certificate of registration would be issued in due course.

  • Row in House of Reps over principal officers

    Row in House of Reps over principal officers

    The House of Representatives was on fire yesterday. Members were shouting and threatening one another  – a reminder of the Sixth House at its most shameful moments.

    The reason was the deep suspicion that the wishes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the selection of  principal officers was going to be truncated by Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

    In a June 23 letter addressed to Dogara, the APC sent a list of names for principal officers.

    Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila ( South West) was chosen as the Majority Leader, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa (North West),  Deputy Majority Leader,; M.T. Monguno ( North East), Chief Whip; and Hon. Pally Iriase (South South), Deputy Chief Whip.

    A member from Sokoto State attempted to snatch the mace. Sitting was disrupted for over two hours and the business of the day as listed in the order paper was terminated.

    The drama began as Dogara invited Hon. Oker Jev to move a motion that the House dissolves into an executive session.

    But a member from Sokoto State, Balarabe Abdullahi Salame shouted “point of Order, point of order!” He was not recognised  by the Speaker. He thereafter attempted to snatch the mace.

    The Sergeants- at- Arm sprang to thwart the move and other members joined the fray. They surged back and forth like a raging sea as they struggled, some to grab the mace; others to stop them.

    Having failed to seize the mace, Salame made straight for the Speaker, holding his dress. Members rushed to stop him, forming a protective ring around Dogara.

    The mace was eventually moved to a safe place after about  25 minutes struggle.

    However the conflict heightened when Hon. Hassan Garba Ado-Doguwa ( APC Kano) clambered on the table on which the mace previously sat but was pushed down by irate members.

    In the struggle, some members fell to the floor and the bulky volumes of the acts of Parliament on the table became missiles, used freely by lawmakers loyal to Femi Gbajabiamila and those on Dogara’s side.

    From that moment till about past 12pm, members were swearing and threatening one another.

    Suddenly, chants of  ‘’all we are saying, give us Gbaja’’ rent the air. There were also interjections of ‘’APC’’. PDP member chanted ‘’shame’’ in response.

    At exactly 12:34 pm, the mace re-entered the Chamber, causing members to applaud. Oker Jev thereafter moved that plenary resumes. Goni Bukar Lawan (Yobe), who seconded nearly caused anther round of unrest as his reference to Jeff as “Acting Leader “ incensed Hon. Madaki who launched at him but was held back by other members.

    But immediately the members settled down, Dogara pleaded for patience, saying the contentious issue of Principal Officers will be resolved.

    He said: “We are very fortunate. Let me remind us of the fact that we are  very very fortunate. In a nation of 170 million people only 360 of us are selected or elected to represent the people and we should be grateful to our constituents for sending us here.”

    He said APC has promised “change” and that Nigerians expect the change to manifest.

    “ As to the issues that led to the fracas today, we will sit down as leaders and resolve whatever the fight; we have to ensure that this matter as quickly as possible is resolved and that is what we will do by the grace of God.”

    He  approved the votes and proceedings of the next day and adjourned plenary till July 21.

    After the House adjourned, both the APC and the PDP caucuses traded blames over the matter.

    The APC Caucus said the problem was caused by Dogara’s actions at plenary.

    The APC’s position was read by Hon. Nasiru Sani Zangon Daura ( APC Katsina State.)

    “The action that occurred inside the chamber of the House of Representatives was in reaction to the illegal and unconstitutional action taken by Speaker Yakubu Dogara of the House of Representatives, an action in his usual tradition of total disregard to the wishes of the majority members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus, the party itself and the spirit of the party.

    “We are aware of a letter sent by our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), dated 23rd June 2015 conveying the approval of the party’s Principal Officers vis a vis the APC House Leader, the APC Chief Whip, the APC Deputy House Leader and the APC Deputy Chief Whip for the House of Representatives.

    “This letter by the party is in compliance with the expressed wish and mandate of the majority members of the APC Caucus in the House of Representatives.

    “This action of the party and the APC House Caucus is in compliance with the Nigerian Constitution, the House Rules and parliamentary tradition, practices and precedents in Nigeria and all over the world.

    “But to our surprise and in breach of our privilege and rights as contained in the Constitution and extant House Rules, Mr. Speaker refused to read the letter from our party.

    “The Speaker and Deputy Speaker are not party principal officers but are House of Representatives Presiding Officers and by precedent and practice are expected to provide a level playing ground for all members, while the party principal officers are supposed to be the main advocates for their individual party positions.

    “The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives are elected by all members of the House of Representatives, irrespective of party affiliation and it is also possible under our extant rules for a Speaker and his Deputy to be elected from a minority/opposition party in the National Assembly.

    “Therefore, Speaker Yakubu Dogara of the House of Representatives cannot under extant Laws and House Rules appoint, choose, select, dictate or even provide guidance on how party principal officers emerge or are elected or selected. That responsibility and authority lies with each party and party’s caucus members in the House.

    The PDP said the fracas was caused by the “unparliamentary” behaviour of APC members on the floor.

    The Caucus, in a briefing led by Hon. Leo Ogor, said:  ”Something unparliamentary happened today and I think it’s important from the minority point we should put the facts before the public.

    “Because of issues that border on some level of agitation he decided that we go into executive session to discuss as parliamentarians. A very embarrassing and unpleasant action took place from the APC group; they decided to take laws into their hands, turned the House upside down and went as far as even carrying the mace, which is the symbol of authority.”

  • Update: House on fire over Principal Officers slots

    Update: House on fire over Principal Officers slots

    The House of Representatives was on fire Thursday over leadership tussle. It was noise, shoving, threats and tension, a reminisce of the 6th House at its most shameful moments.

    The reason was none other than the deep suspicious that the wish of the APC over the selection of principal Officers for the House was going to be truncated by the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara.

    In a letter dated 23rd June, 2015 and addressed to the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the APC sent a list of names approved as Principal Officers.

    Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila ( South West) was chosen as the Majority Leader, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa (North West,  Deputy Majority leader,; M.T. Monguno ( North East), Chief Whip; and Hon. Pally Iriase (South South) was pencilled as Deputy Chief Whip.

    There was serious contention Thursday as a member from Sokoto State attempted to snatch the mace.

    Sitting was disrupted for over two hours and the business of the day as listed in the Order paper of the House was terminated.

    The drama began when the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara called on a member, Hon. Oker Jev to move a motion that the House dissolves into an executive session.

    But a member from Sokoto State, Balarabe Abdullahi Salame punctuated the air with shouts of “point of Order, point of order!” He was however not recognized by the Speaker.

    He thereafter made to snatch the mace.

    Sergeants- at- Arm sprang to thwart the move and other members joined the fray. They surged back and forth like a raging sea as they struggled.

    Having failed to seize the mace, he made straight for the Speaker and attempted to ruffle him by holding on to the Speaker’s white robe. Members rushed to stop him and about 30 members eventually formed a protective ring around Dogara.

    The mace was eventually moved to a safe abode after about a 25 minutes struggle.

    However the conflict heightened when Hon. Hassan Garba Ado-Doguwa ( APC Kano) clambered on the table on which the mace previously sat but was pushed down by irate members.

    In the struggle some members fell on the floor and the bulky volumes of the acts of Parliament on the table were freely used as missiles by lawmakers loyal to Gbajabiamila and those on the side of Dogara.

    From that moment till about past 12pm, members milled around, made loud noises, and generally issued threats to one another.

    Suddenly, chants of ’’all we are saying, give us Gbaja” rent the air. There were also interjections of ”APC”, while PDP member chanted ”shame” in response.

    At exactly 12:34 pm, the mace re-entered the Chamber causing members to applaud.

    Oker Jev thereafter moved that plenary resumes.

    Goni Bukar Lawan (Yobe) who seconded the motion nearly caused another round of unrest as HOS reference to Oker Jeff as “Acting Leader” incensed Hon. Madaki who lunged at him but was held back by other members.

    Before this time, Femi Gbajabiamila was seen speaking with Dogara, though no one had an incline of what he said; it was obvious it was on how to assuage the situation.

    But immediately the members settled down, Dogara pleaded for patience on the part of his colleagues sayings the contentious issue of Principal Officers will be resolved.

    He said: “We are very fortunate, let me remind us of the fact that, we are very fortunate, in a nation of 170 million people, only 360 of us are selected or elected to represent the people and we should be grateful to our constituents for sending us here.”

    He said APC as a party has promised change and that Nigerians expect the change to manifest.

    ” As to the issues that led to the fracas today, we will sit down as leaders and resolve whatever the fight we have to ensure that this matter as quickly as possible be resolved and that is what we will do by the Grace of God.”

    He approved the votes and proceedings of the next day and adjourned the House to the 21st of July.

    After the House adjourned, both the APC and PDP caucuses in separate briefings traded blames over the matter.

    The APC caucus said that the problem was caused by Dogara’s actions at plenary.

    The APC’s position was read by Hon. Nasiru Sani Zangon Daura ( APC Katsina State.)

    It reads: “We are here on behalf of our colleagues of the APC House Caucus to explain to you the unfortunate occurrence during today’s plenary session.

    “The action that occurred inside the chamber of the House of Representatives was in reaction to the illegal and unconstitutional action taken by Speaker Yakubu Dogara of the House of Representatives, an action in his usual tradition of total disregard to the wishes of the majority members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus, the Party itself and the spirit of the Party.

    “We are aware of a letter sent by our Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) dated 23rd June 2015 conveying the approval of the Party’s Principal Officers vis a vis the APC House Leader, the APC Chief Whip, the APC Deputy House Leader and the APC Deputy Chief Whip for the House of Representatives.

    “This letter by the Party is in compliance with the expressed wish and mandate of the Majority Members of the All Progressives Congress APC Caucus in the House of Representatives.

    “This action of the Party and the APC House Caucus is in compliance with the Nigerian Constitution, the House Rules and Parliamentary tradition, practices and precedents in Nigeria and all over the World.

    “But to our surprise and in breach of our privilege and rights as contained in the Constitution and extant House Rules, Mr. Speaker refused to read the letter from our party.

    “The Speaker and Deputy Speaker are not Party Principal Officers but are House of Representatives Presiding Officers and by precedent and practice are expected to provide a level playing ground for all members, while the Party Principal Officers are supposed to be the main advocates for their individual party positions.

    “The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives are elected by all members of the House of Representatives irrespective of party affiliation and it is also possible under our extant rules for a Speaker and his Deputy to be elected from a minority/opposition party in the National Assembly.

    “Therefore, Speaker Yakubu Dogara of the House of Representatives cannot under extant Laws and House Rules Appoint, Choose, Select, Dictate or even provide guidance on how Party Principal Officers emerge or are elected or selected. That responsibility and authority lies with each Party and Party’s Caucus members in the House.

    “If I may ask is Speaker Yakubu Dogara empowered to do that for the PDP House Caucus?

    “This action, by Speaker Yakubu Dogara cannot and will not be allowed to stand as it will set a dangerous precedent in our parliamentary practice as it will give the Speaker the right and authority to appoint, Choose, Select, Dictate or even provide guidance on how Principal Officers emerge or are elected or selected by the Majority and Minority Parties in the House of Representatives. This action is capable of truncating our democracy.

  • PDP condemns House fracas

    PDP condemns House fracas

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned Thursday’s fracas in the chamber of the House of Representatives, describing it as a show of shame and national embarrassment.

    The party said the development, which involved lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called to question the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC to democracy, unity and the stability of the country.

    According to the PDP, the row was a direct consequence of President Buhari’s lack of democratic credentials to rein in his party to respect the independence and sanctity of the legislative arm of government, as enshrined in the nation’s constitution.

    A statement on Thursday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh said “the barbaric attempt to physically assault a duly elected Speaker and seize the mace, the authority of the House, was a direct attack on the Nigerian parliament which embodies the supremacy of the people and our freedom as a democratic nation”.

    The party said what Nigerians witnessed in the House on Thursday clearly underscored the fact that the APC has exhausted its excuses and has now imported its internal contradictions into an independent arm of government as a way to further cover its lack of ideas for governance.

    The PDP said intelligence available to it showed that the brawling APC lawmakers “ostensibly acted on instructions from the Presidency”, adding that it was an obvious indication that President Buhari was largely an interested party whose involvement is beyond mere body language.

    The statement also added that the dishonourable conduct by the APC lawmakers was an act from a script and that it did not come to it as a surprise, “given that they are bred and nurtured under a political platform that lacks discipline and thrives on violence as an unwritten manifesto”

    “We state unequivocally that the onus lies on President Buhari to ensure that all democratic institutions are harnessed for effectiveness, a responsibility he has apparently abdicated by allowing his personal interest to instigate division in the parliament, a tendency that poses great threat to the survival of our democracy and the stability of the nation,” the PDP said.

    The PDP noted that the continued confusion in the APC-led government was a confirmation of its earlier stand that the APC lacked the capacity and democratic discipline to effectively steer the ship of nation and face the challenges of governance at the centre.

    “If a party that has since March 28, 2015 when it got its victory, about 90 days ago, cannot resolve a basic issue of selecting its leadership in the National Assembly, clearly, their competence for national governance comes to question,” the PDP stated.

    The PDP however, applauded Speaker Yakubu Dogara for his comportment, especially his statesmanly remarks after the unfortunate incident and urged him to continue to display maturity and not yield any ground in his duties to protect the independence of the legislature.

    Finally, the PDP commended all its members (past and present) in the House of Representatives for what it described as “their maturity and dignifying conduct” in line with the ideals of its founding fathers on democracy built on peace and unity.

  • Uproar in House of Reps over leadership crisis

    Uproar in House of Reps over leadership crisis

    The crisis rocking the House of Representatives took a different turn, Thursday as members physically exchanged blows.

    Details later…..

  • Reps to probe $8 billion shortfall in NNPC oil deal

    Reps to probe $8 billion shortfall in NNPC oil deal

    The House of Representatives is to constitute an ad hoc committee to probe an alleged $8bn discrepancy in an oil exchange deal, brokered by the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    According to the lawmakers, the investigation is particularly on crude oil swap contracts, to ascertain “that revenue from the nations extractive industries are transparently managed in accordance with global best practices.”

    This was sequel to the adoption of a motion by a member, Michael Enyong (PDP, Akwa Ibom).

    The motion was titled “Urgent need for a forensic Investigation of the contract known as ” Refined products Exchange Agreement or Swap Contract “between the Pipeline and Products Marketing Company ( PPMC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Oil Trading Companies.”

    The lawmaker while arguing his motion said that Refined Products Exchange Agreement or SWAP to the tune of 445, 000 Barrels per day were awarded to nine companies, viz: Sahara Group, Aiteo, Duke Oil, Mercurial, Glencore, Taleberas Nig. Ltd, Etena Oil and Gas, Transfigura and Ontario Oil and Gas.

    According to him, Sahara Group, received 90,000 barrels per day (BPD through an agreement with Societe Ivorienne De Refinage, Aiteo received 90,000 barrels per day, Ontario Oil and Gas Nig. Ltd received 30,000 barrels per day.

    “While one barrel, of crude equals to 159 litres, the 445,000 barrels awarded to the above companies per day, when multiplied by 159 litres would amount to 70, 755, 000 litres per day. Whereas Nigeria consumes 40,000,000 litres per day.

    Eyong noted that the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), in its 2009-2011and 2012 reports had ascertained that there was a staggering recap venue loss of $8 billion due to the discrepancy between the value of the crude oil given out and to refined products delivered.

    He said in 2011, there was a shortfall of 500, 075, 32 litres of refined products by some companies including Transfigura (173,786, 600 litres), Vitol (654,440 litres), Telaveras (152, 308, 878 litres), Aiteo Ltd. (193,046,590 litres) and Ontario Oil & Gas (180, 278, 732 litres).

    The lawmaker noted that the request for the investigation of the oil swap deal is in conformity with anti- corruption stance of the three Arms of government of Nigeria “particularly the nation’s President, Muhamadu Buhari.”

    He further spoke of the need to ensure transparency and accountability by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in the management of the revenue accruing to the nation from crude oil, particularly in the prevailing circumstances where the major user of Nigeria’s crude oil, the United States of America, has discovered alternative energy source.

    Attempts by former Majority Leader, Leo Ogor in a point of order to truncate the debate by citing procedural error for the presentation of the motion by the sponsor was countered by Femi Gbajabiamila (AOC, Lagos) former Minority Leader.

    In a counter point of order, Gbajabiamila reminded his colleagues that it was agreed on Tuesday that due to importance of motion like that, rules should always be suspended to accommodate them.

    Arguing against the motion, Nnana Igbokwe (PDP, Imo) saw no need for the House’s intervention again since Mr. President has already directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to commence investigation of the oil swap deals.

    Razak Atunwa (APC, Kwara) and Emmanuel Oghene (PDP, Lagos) in their contributions noted that Igbokwe’s assertion was not right because the gravity of the consequences of the oil swap arrangement on the nation should make it mandatory on the House to carry out its own investigation.

    The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara while ruling  on the motion after commenting that it was an important motion, said an adhoc committee would be set up to commence the investigation.

  • Dogara seeks stable House of Reps

    Dogara seeks stable House of Reps

    HOUSE of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara has said a stable House is necessary for a Federal Government that is responsive to the yearnings of Nigerians.

    Dogara, who spoke while receiving the caucus of Zamfara State in the House yesterday, advised members of the Eighth House about the “supremacy of Nigeria first”. He said the “era of self first is gone”.

    He said: “We cannot afford to run the affairs of this House on the basis of those who supported me or those who voted against me.

    “Whatever it is, God has given us the leadership and we have to use the opportunity presented by the outcome of the election to unify the House.

    “This is because beyond the election, we owe it to Nigerians, those that sent us here. They are supposed to be the first beneficiaries of our representation and not we as lawmakers. That has to be made clear.

    “If we decide to work just for ourselves, we will not be seen to have justified the representation we were sent here for.

    “So, going forward, what we are supposed to do is to talk on issues that bother our people.

    “We are aware of serious problems that have affected the image of our parliament in the past; we have to avoid them”.

    Issues of unemployment, infrastructure decay, failing roads, agriculture among other challenges must be dealt with first by the lawmakers before consideration for any other thing, the Speaker said.

    He added: “When we do that, we would have justified offering an effective representation that would improve the reputation of the House in the public.

    “We belong to a party that promised so much; we cannot afford to fail.”

    The Speaker has approved the composition of the House Ad hoc Committee on Welfare.

    The committee, to be chaired by Nasiru Baballe Ila, with Omosede Gabriella Igbinedion as deputy, has 36 members that include Gogo Bright, Ajibola Famurewa, Sunday Katung Saidu Yusuf Miga and Toby Okechukwu among others.