Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House of Representatives loyal to the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, walked out of the party’s caucus meeting on Tuesday.
The action brought another twist to the crisis over the composition of committee chairmen in the House, as the lawmakers alleged that there was a plot to remove Mr Gbajabiamila from his position.
According to a lawmaker, Mustapha Dawaki, the meeting was to discuss a news conference held by some members of the House the day before.
At the press conference the organisers said that the distribution of the committee was not acceptable and that they were speaking on behalf of the APC caucus.
But Mr Dawaki dismissed their claims.
“The statement attributed to the APC caucus is not in the interest of the APC caucus. Two people out of over 200 cannot come and speak on behalf of the APC caucus,” Mr Dawaki said.
“We Get Along”
One of the lawmakers that left the meeting on Tuesday, Honourable Ahmed Kaita, also said that the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, had gone against the wishes of the party.
“Yesterday [Monday] while we were having a meeting at the National headquarters of the party, texts messages were flying by the same group of people that do not want the APC to succeed in this House… that Gbajabiamila is going to be removed today and they actually planned it.
“We came and they could not do anything. We have the majority and as long as this House is going to be dictated by the Peoples Democratic Party, we will resist it,” Honourable Kaita said.
Addressing reporters on the issue, the Majority Leader, however, said there was no issues between him and the Speaker.
“The Speaker and I have no issues. We get along. If those that claim they are with the Speaker and those who claim they are with me have issues among themselves, it is for the speaker and I to resolve these issues for them and not for us because we have no issues,” Mr Gbajabiamila said.
“Nigerians Are Tired”
The Chief Whip of the House, Ado Dogowa, also denied any plot to remove the Majority Leader, saying the leadership of the House is united.
“The leadership has no crack as far as we are concerned.
“As I am talking to you, Honourable Dogara and the leader of the House is in the same room in the office of the Speaker discussing and trying to see how we can move ahead. Nigerians are tired of this waiting,” Mr Dogowa explained.
“Any speculation made that there is a plot to remove the Majority Leader is unfounded and it is not from the APC,” he said.
