By Chris Nomjov
An imminent end might be in sight for the National House of Representatives’ crisis, as the Speaker of the House, Mr Yakubu Dogara, and the Majority Leader, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, have no issues and are both committed to a smooth running of the House.
If the words of the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Media, Gaza Gbefwi, are anything to go by, then the crisis appears resolved. Speaking to newsmen on Wednesday, Gaza said the crisis in the House over the composition of Standing Committees is a foregone issue.
He said that the crisis topped the talks between both members of the House and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the House of Reps’ spokesperson made it clear that the Standing Committees, as presently constituted, could not be reversed.
It would be recalled that some lawmakers of the APC walked out of a caucus meeting, on Tuesday, alleging a plot by the Speaker and some other lawmakers to eject the Majority Leader from his position.
The action brought another twist to the crisis over the composition of committee chairmen in the House.
Among the lawmakers that left the meeting on Tuesday, Honourable Ahmed Kaita, said that the Speaker had gone against the wishes of the ruling 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.
However, one of the major actors in the proposed House crisis, the Majority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila has denied any infractions 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 stated in a calm tone.
