A close Ally of the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader, Bola Tinubu, and Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has reacted to claims that he is sponsoring the ongoing budget padding saga, through the sacked Chairman, House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin, in order to unseat the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.
Recall, that Tinubu had endorsed Gbajabiamila, to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
There were speculations last week that Jibrin had teamed up with Gbajabiamila, to unseat the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.
Earlier, a message which went round the House Members, suggested that Gbajabiamila, was part of a group working discreetly to force a leadership change in the House.
The anonymous message reads, “Plot to destabilise the leadership of the House of Reps, has taken a new dimension, as the AGF working with Gbajabiamila, Jibrin & SGF has (sic), drafted charges to arraign and detain principal officers of the House, so that the transparency group who recently met with Tinubu’s wife, will effect a leadership change with Gbajabiamila as Speaker and Jibrin as Deputy. This is why Jibrin did not mention Femi in his allegations. The 8th House won’t be anybody’s rubber stamp. We will resist them like the Senate resisted them”.
While speculations gain ground, Gbajabiamila, broke his silence and distanced himself from any plot to unseat the Speaker.
Gbajabiamila, gave his position via emails sent to all Members of the House.
The House Leader, through his Media Aide, Wasiu Olanrewaju, said he had no deal with Jibrin, or any problem with Dogara’s leadership.
He however, called for investigation of the allegations, and cautioned against taking sides.
He said, “Since the budget controversy that engulfed the House about a week ago, I have pointedly maintained a dignified silence. I did this for the sake of the institution I represent, and which I have laboured hard to grow and protect, knowing that whatever I say could be impactful both within the House and outside it.“I was determined to keep in place the glue that holds an otherwise fragmented House, protect its integrity, and at same time avoid eroding the little confidence and vestiges of hope Nigerians have in us.
“I am being dragged into an arena I tried very hard to stay out of, only for the good of the House. The Speakership election has come and gone. The election was divisive and acrimonious, but I have since worked hard to heal the wounds some of which still fester among members on both sides.“It is my responsibility to bring all tendencies in a House I lead together, and I have worked well with the Speaker and all other Principal officers in a bipartisan manner, and in the interest of the institution and members.“It is clear that our budget process needs radical reform and very quickly too. Yes, allegations have been made, but I strongly believe judgment should not be passed based on allegations. We operate a constitutional democracy, and we must at all times submit to its dictates and ethos. All parties are innocent until otherwise proven.
“This should be our guide. I plead with all members. The mudslinging must stop.
“This text message, which desperately seeks to finger me in some macabre plot to destabilise the House, is a throwback, and echoes our dark post Speakership election history. The resurfacing or resurgence of the faceless text messengers will not help us as a House, and let me quickly add that it will fail.“My strongest critics and biggest political adversaries in the House, cannot deny the fact that my commitment has always been to strengthen the legislature, and its processes, and our democracy, as a whole. I consider everyone a friend and colleague and urge that as we collectively work towards a stronger legislature and strive to deepen our democracy, we do not pull back the hands of the clock, nor lose sight of the enormous responsibility placed upon us by providence as members of a critical arm of government”.
Like Us on Facebook!
0 comments:
Post a Comment