Speaker insist on Geo political represention in appointing principal officers

Abuja – ‎ Group of lawmakers loyal to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara on Wednesday in Abuja urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure equity in appointing principal officers of the House.
Spokesman of the group, Rep. Abdulmumin Jubrin (Kano-APC) told newsmen that respect for Federal Character was also crucial toward ensuring fair and just practice.
“We also believe that there should be a level playing ground for everyone in terms of the occupation of the remaining offices of principal officers that has always been our position.
“The principal officers of the House must be in tandem with principle of equity and federal character as prescribed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’’ Jubrin
said.
He argued that the six positions of Speaker, Deputy Speaker, House leader, Deputy ‎House Leader, the Whip and Deputy Whip must go to the six geo – political zones.
“It must reflect the principal of equity and fairness,’’ the lawmaker stressed.
In order to achieve this, Jubrin stated that the group conceded the position of the House leader to Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila.
He, however, said that the group will not accept nominations from North East and South West geo political zones because the speaker and Deputy Speaker represent the zones respectively.
“We have agreed to concede the position of the House leader to the Femi’s group and we took this decision bearing in mind that we need peace in this house and we want to get down to work,’’ Jubrin said.
He explained that the Dogara faction does not recognize the letter written by APC, approving nomination of principal officers.
“We have utmost respect for the chairman of the party, but that letter did not pass through the relevant organs of the party.
“It was neither approved by the National Working Committee, the National Executive Council, not even the caucus was consulted and it was a product of one of two governors and of course the National Chairman.
“Let me maintain the fact that we respect the national chairman and we will only respect a letter through legal organs of the party.
“Our position is that we do not recognize the existence of such letter
“We expect the Femi’s group to accept this concession so that we can be able to move forward,’’ Jubrin said.
Jubrin further said that the House will resort to electing its principal officers if the Gbajabiamila’s faction does not accept the offer.
“It should be left for us to choose principal officers of the House in line with the standing rules of the House, so we have to come back and hold an election.
“The entire APC members would hold an election to elect the house leaders,
“Let’s hold election in line of the standing rules of the House and that is our position,’’ he added.