Buhari Gives Legislative Arm Of Gov’t (Reps) Marching Orders: Resolve Your Crisis “Within Six Hours”

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the gladiators in the ongoing crisis in the House of Representatives six hours to resolve all pending issues ahead of the resumption of plenary Tuesday.

Mr. Buhari met with the All Progressives Congress, APC, caucus in the House at the Presidential Villa Abuja, Monday.

One of the members who attended the meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, told PREMIUM TIMES that the president “did not waste time, but simply reminded members on the need for party discipline”.

“He said he never wanted to interfere in the affairs of the Legislature, but he’s now forced to do so to maintain party discipline,” the source quoted the president as saying.

The source, who declined to be named because he was not permitted to speak to the media on the outcome of the meeting, said Mr. Buhari asked Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Femi Gbajabiamila to hold a meeting with the national chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun and find a solution to the problem within the next six hours.

“The president said it is unacceptable for him to be in office under the APC, and the PDP would be allowed to dictate who occupies positions in an administration he heads,” the source said.

“Buhari urged all members to look beyond themselves and consider the country and the platform under which they were elected.”
The source added that the APC leadership is expected to brief the president on the outcome of the meeting between Messrs. Dogara, Gbajabiamila and Odigie-Oyegun.

The meeting ended without a consensus on solving the leadership crisis that has rocked the house since its inauguration June 9.

Members emerged from the brief talks insisting on their varied terms as the solution to the crisis. Some lawmakers threatened violence.

The House is resuming sitting Tuesday after nearly a month break.