The House of Representatives in Nigeria has resolved its crisis over the choice of its principal officers, with Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila emerging as the Majority Leader.
The tension over the leadership of the House came to an end on Tuesday at the plenary after the Speaker of the House, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, announced the principal officers.
Gbajabiamila’s emergence was a signal that the different factions may have closed ranks on the matter.
Other key positions were also announced by the Speaker. Honourable Buba Jubril was chosen as the Deputy Majority Leader, while Honourable Alhassan Dogwa was made the Chief Whip. Honourable Pally Iriase was chosen as the Deputy Whip.
Earlier, the Dogara group had argued that the Majority Leader should not come from the south-west and the north-east zones, considering the fact that the two zones produced the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker positions.
Today’s agreement may have put to rest the long drawn disagreement over the matter and a clear indication that the intervention of President Muhhamadu Buhari may have helped resolve the crisis which had threatened the unity of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
After a meeting between the APC members in the House of Representatives and the President on Monday, Mr Gbajabiamila expressed optimism that the issue would be resolved on Tuesday.
At the plenary, some members led by Honourable Alhassan Dogwa raised a motion, asking Nigerians to forgive the federal lawmakers for last month’s brawl, which disrupted the House.
However, another member, Honourable Ali Madaki, attempted to disassociate himself from the apology.
The Speaker subsequently ruled him out of order.
Meanwhile, the Speaker has set up a committee to screen the Service Chiefs nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari.
