The crisis rocking the House of Representatives has taken a new turn as the chances of the former House minority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila,EMERGING
as the majority leader of the 8th House looks slimmer as his major backers are said to be dropping away by the day.
as the majority leader of the 8th House looks slimmer as his major backers are said to be dropping away by the day.
According to The Punch, unless the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders take a definite stand on this matter, Gbajabiamila might lose out onBECOMING the House majority leader.
the House majority leader.
A ranking senator who did not want his name mentioned said that the former minority leader’s qualifications for the position are not inDOUBT but the main issue is that the south-west has produced a deputy speaker adding that it will be unfair to have another person from the zone to occupy the position of the House leader.
but the main issue is that the south-west has produced a deputy speaker adding that it will be unfair to have another person from the zone to occupy the position of the House leader.
He said : “But, you see, a South-West person (Mr. Yussuf Lasun) has already been elected as the Deputy Speaker.
“We cannot afford to allow the same zone take the House Leader again. That will be too much legislative powers inONE area”.
area”.
It was reported that APC north-west members who have 87 lawmakers in the House were now opposing Gbajabiamila. Ironically, his major backers for the position of speaker, which Gbajabiamila lost to Yukubu Dogara on June 9, came from the zone.
Reportedly the initial arrangement by the party was that Gbajabiamila shouldEMERGE the speaker while Mohammed Monguno became his deputy. The position of the House leader was supposed to be filled by a member from Kano state, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa.
the speaker while Mohammed Monguno became his deputy. The position of the House leader was supposed to be filled by a member from Kano state, Alhassan Ado-Doguwa.
The arrangement was thwarted, however, when Gbajabiamila lost the election and aMEMBER from Osun state, Yusuf Lasun beat Monguno for the deputy position.
from Osun state, Yusuf Lasun beat Monguno for the deputy position.
It was further reported that the North insisted on keeping the position of House leader “since the South-West has already picked the post of Deputy Speaker.”
It was learnt that following theINTERVENTION of the party leaders, the aggrievedMEMBERS were said to have conceded the position to Gbajabiamila only to change their minds on Monday night.
of the party leaders, the aggrievedMEMBERS were said to have conceded the position to Gbajabiamila only to change their minds on Monday night.
Another lawmaker said:“As it is, there are still no announcements and the seat remains vacant. Other positions, like the Chief Whip, the Deputy Leader and the Deputy Whip too have not been decided.
“The party has called another round of meeting this week and the discussions will have to continue until an agreement is reached”.
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