Rowdy Session In House Of Reps As Lawmakers Exchange Blows Over Sharing Of Leadership Positions

Some members of the House of Representatives today, Thursday disrupted plenary on the floor of the Green Chamber of the National Assembly. Problem started when the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara attempted to announce the appointment of principal officers for the House. There were clashes between members loyal to Dogara and members loyal to the decision of the APC in nominating principal officers. While pro-APC members chanted “on party supremacy we stand”, pro- Dogara members chanted “Dogara”

They tried to make away with the mace but were prevented by others which resulted in a brawl among the lawmakers. Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned what transpired at both chambers of the National Assembly on Thursday, June 25th 2015. In a statement issued by its National Secretary, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, the party said it stands by the list sent by the party to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. It added that the National Caucus, BOT and NEC of the party will meet within the next few days to discuss the evolving developments in the National Assembly.

Giving his account of what happened in the House, a member Nasiru Sani Zangon Daura of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Zango/Baure Federal Constituency of Katsina State spoke at a press briefing along with some of his colleagues of the APC House Caucus to explain the unfortunate occurrence plenary session.

According to him “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.

“As for the claim being made that a particular zone should not be allowed to produce more than one Principal Officer, we say and we say this with all sense of decorum, that this claim is absolutely RUBBISH!!

“Precedences were set in the 6th & 7th Assemblies where a single zone, the Northwest, produced two and three Principal Officers, respectively. We the loyal and disciplined majority APC Caucus in the House of Representatives are fully committed in ensuring that our party’s and President Muhammadu Buhari’s manifesto, agenda and positions prevail despite the efforts and shenanigans of the opposition party(s) and the few disloyal and undisciplined APC party members in the House of Representatives.

“We are determined in our efforts, to utilize all legislative strategies available to us, so as to ensure the compliance with due process and democratic norms and values. We shall persevere, come rain come shine!

“We the loyal and disciplined majority APC Caucus in the House of Representatives and the All Progressives Congress have dished out enough of the carrots, it’s time to crack the whip so as to ensure party discipline and maintain order. Dare I say, we rode to power on the platform of the party, the party is supreme and thus no one is above the party!”