House Crisis: Gbajabiamila’s Letter to Dogara over Committees Surfaces
Facts have emerged that the Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, did protest his side-lining, ahead of the appointment of the Chairmen and deputies of the Standing Committees of the House.
A letter, dated October 20,2015 was discovered on Tuesday written from Hon. Gbajabiamila to the Speaker, where he warned against the temptation of not consulting principal officers before composition of House leadership.
The Speaker announced the leadership of the committees on Thursday, October 22, 2015. In his letter, : “You would recall that I have on several occasions in the last four weeks met with you both at home and your office to get an understanding and appreciation of what was going on with the composition and appointment of chairmen and deputy chairmen of House committees.
“I did this because of the incessant rumor that same had been composed. From all indications however it appears that an announcement of chairmen and deputy chairmen is imminent and such may be done this week.
“Hon. Speaker, I acknowledge your right and prerogative to determine the leadership of the House committees and I intend to work with you after such determination has been made. I intend and have stated on many occasions privately and publicly to work with you for the progress of the House.
“However, I am constrained at this point to ask that due consideration is given to the provisions of our House Rules Order 7 Rule 10, paragraph (a) of the House rules which states that the speaker “shall in consultation with principal officers, appoint the chairmen and deputy chairmen from among the members on the committee.
“On the role of the majority/House leader: Order 7 Rule 27 (2) c says that the leader of the House shall, liaise with committee chairmen and other functionaries of the House.
“The situation whereby any principal officer whether from the majority or minority party only knows of the appointment referred to above upon announcement on the floor will not augur well for the progress of the House.
“I have taken liberty to write to you on this matter for record purposes and in the hope that every principal office in this House would be given its due as enshrined in our House Rules” it read.
Gbajabiamila, after the appointment had denied reports that he was aware of the appointments which were discussed at a meeting which held before plenary that Tuesday.
