PDP in crisis over Speaker, grills Tambuwal, deputy
N’Assembly adjourns for three weeks
AN uneasy calm yesterday prevailed at the national secretariat of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as its leadership brainstormed on how to avert a looming implosion over the new leadership of the House of Representatives.
Rattled by the PDP lawmakers’ rejection of its zoning of political offices in Monday’s election of Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal from Sokoto State as Speaker and Emeka Ihedioha from Imo State as Deputy Speaker, the party’s leadership called an emergency meeting on the matter.
After hours of deliberations, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) expressed concern that the zoning formula had been altered.
Instead of the outright suspension of Tambuwal and Ihedioha as demanded by some members present, those who proposed that the duo be summoned to a meeting to give them fair hearing carried the day.
The two presiding officers were elected by the members of the House after its inauguration on Monday as the lawmakers overwhelmingly voted for Tambuwal against Mulikat Adeola-Akande, the PDP’s preferred choice. The Speaker got 252 votes to Adeola-Akande’s 90. Some key PDP leaders, who were sent to the House to watch the proceedings and prevailed on the party’s lawmakers to vote for Adeola-Akande hurriedly left the session as the pendulum swung in favour of Tambuwal.
With President Goodluck Jonathan hailing the decision of the Lower House, it was the thinking of political watchers that the PDP had come to terms with the reality but the NWC led by the PDP Acting National Chairman, Haliru Bello Mohammed think otherwise.
At the meeting yesterday, the PDP leaders said the first approach should be to reach out to the two lawmakers to answer questions on why they ignored the party’s instruction that all its members in the House should rally round Adeola-Akande.
After much persuasion, the meeting ended abruptly and Mohammed was mandated to invite them (Tambuwal and Ihedioha) to a meeting yesterday evening.
Although the meeting was yet to commence at the time of filing this report, but it was learnt that the two officers had been contacted.
The PDP in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, after the meeting, said though the House has the freedom to regulate its affairs, the party has provision for zoning, which every member must obey.
“The National Working Committee of the PDP notes with great concern the unfolding developments in the House of Representatives, especially the outcome of the election of principal officers on Monday, June 6, 2011.
“While the party believes in, and indeed encourages the exercise of freedom of choice for all Nigerians including members of the National Assembly, it is important to reiterate that the principle of zoning is still an integral part of the PDP Constitution.’’
It added that the leadership of the party made attempt to arrest the situation before it got out of hand as some members were defiant, stressing that consultations were still on to find a way around the matter.
“The idea of zoning is a well thought out philosophy for national stability and integration. It is the only guarantee that every segment of Nigeria enjoys a sense of belonging by being represented in all the decision-making organs of the government of Nigeria.
“Consequently, prior to the election of principal officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives on June 6, 2011, the NWC in collaboration with other decision-making bodies of our party made spirited efforts to build a consensus around the zoning formula. “The NWC is currently consulting other organs of the party to re-assess the entire scenario and will come up with an appropriate policy in due course,’’ the party said.
Meanwhile, the two chambers of the legislature yesterday adjourned till June 28, 2011 to enable the management of the National Assembly put the necessary things in place for them to take off.
Also, Tambuwal has resolved to set up a committee to review the code of conduct of members to guard against what transpired in the chamber during the sixth Assembly.
The Guardian learnt that part of the reasons for the review is to tone down the powers of the Speaker.
In his inaugural speech, Tambuwal expressed concern over the lost reputation of members following the crisis that hit the House over corruption allegations.
“We acknowledged that the dignity and integrity of this House have been called to question. We must possess the humility that commands retrospection. We accept responsibility for our failures and ask Nigerians for their forgiveness. Mindful of lessons of the past, we will open a new chapter. We will commence a new era of responsibility.”
Also to be constituted is a selection committee of 37 members (a member from each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory). The panel usually under the leadership of the Speaker has the primary responsibility of appointing leaders and members of standing and special committees of the House.
Tambuwal also announced the resolution of the House to set up of an ad-hoc committee on Media and Public Affairs made up of seven members.
Earlier, the Chamber at plenary resolved to inform Jonathan that a quorum of the House had been assembled with the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
The House therefore mandated the Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa “to advise the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SSG) to inform the President that the House has assembled, properly constituted and ready to receive any message he may wish to transmit.”
The session lasted for over two hours.
The three weeks recess, according to Ihedioha, is to enable the National Assembly management prepare offices for the 360 members of the Green chamber.
Moving the motion for adjournment, Ihedioha said the break would also enable the lawmakers “settle their constituents” as well as attend to other sundry businesses before resuming for full legislative activities.
The motion was seconded by Jumoke Okoya-Thomas.
AN uneasy calm yesterday prevailed at the national secretariat of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as its leadership brainstormed on how to avert a looming implosion over the new leadership of the House of Representatives.
Rattled by the PDP lawmakers’ rejection of its zoning of political offices in Monday’s election of Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal from Sokoto State as Speaker and Emeka Ihedioha from Imo State as Deputy Speaker, the party’s leadership called an emergency meeting on the matter.
After hours of deliberations, the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) expressed concern that the zoning formula had been altered.
Instead of the outright suspension of Tambuwal and Ihedioha as demanded by some members present, those who proposed that the duo be summoned to a meeting to give them fair hearing carried the day.
The two presiding officers were elected by the members of the House after its inauguration on Monday as the lawmakers overwhelmingly voted for Tambuwal against Mulikat Adeola-Akande, the PDP’s preferred choice. The Speaker got 252 votes to Adeola-Akande’s 90. Some key PDP leaders, who were sent to the House to watch the proceedings and prevailed on the party’s lawmakers to vote for Adeola-Akande hurriedly left the session as the pendulum swung in favour of Tambuwal.
With President Goodluck Jonathan hailing the decision of the Lower House, it was the thinking of political watchers that the PDP had come to terms with the reality but the NWC led by the PDP Acting National Chairman, Haliru Bello Mohammed think otherwise.
At the meeting yesterday, the PDP leaders said the first approach should be to reach out to the two lawmakers to answer questions on why they ignored the party’s instruction that all its members in the House should rally round Adeola-Akande.
After much persuasion, the meeting ended abruptly and Mohammed was mandated to invite them (Tambuwal and Ihedioha) to a meeting yesterday evening.
Although the meeting was yet to commence at the time of filing this report, but it was learnt that the two officers had been contacted.
The PDP in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, after the meeting, said though the House has the freedom to regulate its affairs, the party has provision for zoning, which every member must obey.
“The National Working Committee of the PDP notes with great concern the unfolding developments in the House of Representatives, especially the outcome of the election of principal officers on Monday, June 6, 2011.
“While the party believes in, and indeed encourages the exercise of freedom of choice for all Nigerians including members of the National Assembly, it is important to reiterate that the principle of zoning is still an integral part of the PDP Constitution.’’
It added that the leadership of the party made attempt to arrest the situation before it got out of hand as some members were defiant, stressing that consultations were still on to find a way around the matter.
“The idea of zoning is a well thought out philosophy for national stability and integration. It is the only guarantee that every segment of Nigeria enjoys a sense of belonging by being represented in all the decision-making organs of the government of Nigeria.
“Consequently, prior to the election of principal officers of the Senate and the House of Representatives on June 6, 2011, the NWC in collaboration with other decision-making bodies of our party made spirited efforts to build a consensus around the zoning formula. “The NWC is currently consulting other organs of the party to re-assess the entire scenario and will come up with an appropriate policy in due course,’’ the party said.
Meanwhile, the two chambers of the legislature yesterday adjourned till June 28, 2011 to enable the management of the National Assembly put the necessary things in place for them to take off.
Also, Tambuwal has resolved to set up a committee to review the code of conduct of members to guard against what transpired in the chamber during the sixth Assembly.
The Guardian learnt that part of the reasons for the review is to tone down the powers of the Speaker.
In his inaugural speech, Tambuwal expressed concern over the lost reputation of members following the crisis that hit the House over corruption allegations.
“We acknowledged that the dignity and integrity of this House have been called to question. We must possess the humility that commands retrospection. We accept responsibility for our failures and ask Nigerians for their forgiveness. Mindful of lessons of the past, we will open a new chapter. We will commence a new era of responsibility.”
Also to be constituted is a selection committee of 37 members (a member from each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory). The panel usually under the leadership of the Speaker has the primary responsibility of appointing leaders and members of standing and special committees of the House.
Tambuwal also announced the resolution of the House to set up of an ad-hoc committee on Media and Public Affairs made up of seven members.
Earlier, the Chamber at plenary resolved to inform Jonathan that a quorum of the House had been assembled with the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
The House therefore mandated the Clerk of the National Assembly, Salisu Maikasuwa “to advise the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SSG) to inform the President that the House has assembled, properly constituted and ready to receive any message he may wish to transmit.”
The session lasted for over two hours.
The three weeks recess, according to Ihedioha, is to enable the National Assembly management prepare offices for the 360 members of the Green chamber.
Moving the motion for adjournment, Ihedioha said the break would also enable the lawmakers “settle their constituents” as well as attend to other sundry businesses before resuming for full legislative activities.
The motion was seconded by Jumoke Okoya-Thomas.
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