The resumption of the House of Representatives today would certainly set a rocky agenda for a long-sought annexation of the House by the opposition. It is a reality foretold and a bad omen for the Goodluck Jonathan's Presidency, TORDUE SALEM writes.
The National Assembly promises to be a most exciting spectacle, as the House resumes today. Key issues on the House's agenda would be to decide who stays as principal officers and the battle on the side and against the President would take the remainder of the year.
The last leg of the constitution review process would also be on the card, as incendiary proposals like the removal of immunity for President would be greeted with storm. For example, the spokesman of the House, Hon. Zakari Muhammed, hinted last week that the House may consider removing principal officers loyal to President Goodluck Jonathan and Bamanga Tukur faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The principal officers loyal to Jonathan and Tukur are the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (PDP-Imo); the House Leader, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola (Oyo-PDP), and the Deputy Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor (PDP-Delta).
At press time, about 57 members of the PDP in the House out of 208, declared for the New PDP over allegations of autocracy and high-handedness by the Presidency and Tukur. Zakari agreed last week that members may consider overhauling the leadership of the House as they resume this week. "Yes, it is what we would consider when we resume.
Like I said earlier, the colouration of debate would change and definitely, the majority (137 APC members and 57 New PDP members), would decide a new structure of the House," he said.
According to him, "what is happening in the PDP will affect the colouration of debates when we resume next week." The Chairman, House Commitee on Media and Publicity, said the revolt of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar- led New PDP became imperative to address the problems in the party with a view to salvaging the 2015 elections for a greater future of the country.
"As it is, we feel that if we allow the party to remain the way it is, it will be difficult for us to win elections in 2015. We just want to express to the leadership of the old PDP that as renegades, we are also very important in winning the 2015 elections as any other person.
"That's the beauty of democracy; it is to make choices, so new PDP or old PDP, when we resume, we will look into it," he said. Though Zakari denied that the House may impeach the President, he however added that "its merits" could be considered if necessary. Two weeks ago, the 57 members stated that House Speaker, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, is with them.
Though Tambuwal's name was not listed among those who signed for the 'new PDP", Mohammed said "Tambuwal is a man of the majority and therefore naturally belongs to the New PDP, which is progressive and responsive." He explained that Tambuwal is a grassroots leader and cannot abandon his people and governor, who is part of the 'revolution' in the party.
"Although I cannot speak for the Speaker, but I can confirm that he is the people's Speaker; he is the speaker for all and so would naturally flow with the majority. Besides, he cannot abandon his governor in the struggle.
He is from Sokoto State and the governor, Aliyu Wamakko is a prime mover of the new PDP, so he cannot be missing in action. But it is left for you to read the writing on the wall," he stated.
The House spokesman said they were firmly behind their governors in their struggle to redeem the PDP, as he stressed that those of them in the "New PDP" have been unsatisfied with the way the party is being run by Tukur and the President.
"I can tell you, most of us are disenchanted with what has been going on in the party and we have now decided that enough is enough. We have to support our leaders and governors to reposition our great party and those who are with us are the majority. Anybody who is on the other side should better have a rethink," he said.
Mohammed maintained that most of the lawmakers were still on vacation and could not be reached physically to append their signatures but they have confirmed their membership of the Barajeled PDP, explaining that as soon as they return they will join the party
In the statement the 'rebel' lawmakers issued two weeks ago, they declared that: "We wish to state that, by this statement, we pledge our loyalty and support to the new PDP under the able chairmanship of Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, the Deputy Chairman, Dr. Sam SamJaja, National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinola and other members of the National Working Committee. "We congratulate them and wish them the very best as they steer the affairs of our party to provide level playing-field for all Nigerians."
The 57 House of Representatives members who signed the letter are: Abdullahi Balarabe, Abdulmumin Jibrin, Ali Ahmad, Abdullahi Muhammad Wamakko, Abdullahi Muhammed Rico, Abdulmalik Usman Cheche, Adamu Bashir, Hon. Ahman-Patigi Aliyu, Ahmed Zerewa, Aishatu Ahmed Binani, Aiyedun Akeem Olayinka, Alhassan Ado Garba, and Aliyu Madaki.
Others are Aliyu Shehu, Aminu Shagari, Aminu Sulyman, Aminu Tukur, Andrew Uchendu, Asita Honourable, Bashir Baballe, Blessing Nsiegbe, Dakuku Peterside, Dawari George and Faruq Muhammed Lawan.
Others include Gibson Nathaniel, Gogo Bright Tamunu, Haliru Zakari Jikantoro, Hassan Adamu, Hussain Namadi, Ibrahim Ebbo, Ibrahim Tijjani Kivawa, Issa Bashir, Kabiru Achida, Khabeeb Mustapha, Maurice Pronen, Mohammed Sabo, Mpigi Barinada, Muhammad Ahmed Mukhtar, Muhammad Ibrahim, Muhammad Sani Kutigi, Mukhtari Muhammad, Musa Ado and Musa Sarkin- Adar.
The rest are Mustapha Bala Dawaki, Mustapha Mashood, Ogbonna Nwuke, Rafiu Ibrahim, Sa'ad Nabunkari, Sani Muhammed Aliyu, Shuaibu Gobir, Sokonte Davies, Sufiyanu Ubale, Umar Bature, Usman Wada, Yusuph Dunari Sule, Yusuph Galambi, and Zakari Muhammed.
There is a possibility that the number of members against the President and the PDP will increase in a few days and the ranks of the President's camp would deplete the more, with Tambuwal leading the pack.
The problem, however, is that other important issues like the completion of work on the constitution, Petroleum Industry Bill and other reports may be shelved in this battle for political survival.
National Mirror
So many news trailing the president right about now so we as Nigerians just feel everything pan out well @ the end of the day. Let's wait and see....