The All
Progressives Congress member in the House of Representatives, Nasiru
Sani Zangon Daura, representing Zango/Baure Federal Constituency of
Katsina State, has issued a press statement on the physical battle that
ensued in the Green Chamber during plenary on Thursday.
At the plenary, the tension and divided interest among the legislators led to a brawl between the two factions in the chamber.
The
statement reads, “We are here on behalf of our colleagues of the APC
House Caucus to explain to you the unfortunate occurrence during today’s
plenary session.
“The
action that occurred inside the chamber of the House of Representatives
was in reaction to the illegal and unconstitutional action taken by
Speaker Yakubu Dogara of the House of Representatives, an action in his
usual tradition of total disregard to the wishes of the majority members
of the APC Caucus, the Party itself and the spirit of the Party.
“We are
aware of a letter sent by our Party, APC, dated 23rd June 2015,
conveying the approval of the party’s principal officers vis a vis the
APC House Leader, the APC Chief Whip, the APC Deputy House Leader and
the APC Deputy Chief Whip for the House of Representatives.
“This
letter by the Party is in compliance with the expressed wish and mandate
of the Majority Members of the APC Caucus in the House of
Representatives.
“This
action of the party and the APC House Caucus is in compliance with the
Nigerian Constitution, the House rules and parliamentary tradition,
practices and precedents in Nigeria and all over the World.
“But to
our surprise and in breach of our privilege and rights as contained in
the Constitution and extant House Rules, Mr. Speaker refused to read the
letter from our party.
“The
Speaker and Deputy Speaker are not Party Principal Officers but are
House of Representatives Presiding Officers and by precedent and
practice are expected to provide a level playing ground for all members,
while the Party Principal Officers are supposed to be the main
advocates for their individual party positions.
“The
Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives are
elected by all members of the House of Representatives irrespective of
party affiliation and it is also possible under our extant rules for a
Speaker and his Deputy to be elected from a minority/opposition party in
the National Assembly.
“Therefore,
Speaker Yakubu Dogara of the House of Representatives cannot under
extant laws and House rules appoint, choose, select, dictate or even
provide guidance on how Party Principal Officers emerge or are elected
or selected. That responsibility and authority lies with each Party and
Party’s Caucus members in the House.
“If I may ask, is Speaker Yakubu Dogara empowered to do that for the PDP House Caucus?
“This
action by Speaker Yakubu Dogara cannot and will not be allowed to stand
as it will set a dangerous precedent in our parliamentary practice as it
will give the Speaker the right and authority to appoint, choose,
select, dictate or even provide guidance on how Principal Officers
emerge or are elected or selected by the Majority and Minority Parties
in the House of Representatives. This action is capable of truncating
our democracy.
“As for
the claim being made that a particular zone should not be allowed to
produce more than one Principal Officer, we say this with all sense of
decorum, that this claim is absolute rubbish.
“Precedences
were set in the 6th & 7th Assemblies where a single zone, the
North-West, produced two and three Principal Officers, respectively.
“We, the
loyal and disciplined majority APC Caucus in the House of
Representatives are fully committed in ensuring that our party’s and
President Muhammadu Buhari’s manifesto, agenda and positions prevail
despite the efforts and shenanigans of the opposition party(s) and the
few disloyal and undisciplined APC party members in the House of
Representatives.
“We are
determined in our efforts to utilise all legislative strategies
available to us, so as to ensure the compliance with due process and
democratic norms and values.
“We shall persevere, come rain come shine!
“We the
loyal and disciplined majority APC Caucus in the House of
Representatives and the All Progressives Congress have dished out enough
of the carrots, it’s time to crack the whip so as to ensure party
discipline and maintain order.
“Dare I say, we rode to power on the platform of the party, the party is supreme and thus no one is above the party.
“God Bless the All Progressives Congress.
“God Bless The House of Representatives.
“God Bless Nigeria.
“Thank You for listening.”
Source: PUNCH
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