Abuja – Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, Speaker of the House of Representatives yesterday finally bowed out of the 7th Assembly yesterday just as members agreed that Deputy Speaker should step in to complete his tenure in compliant with the provisions of the House Rules but against provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Tambuwal’s tenure which was statutorily expected to end May 29 after had been elected Governor in his native Sokoto state where he is expected to be sworn in on that same date.
In order to avoid a vacuum and also guard against constitutional crisis, the Speaker at a press briefing at the National Assembly yesterday, said the House would today(wednesday), resolve the matter by “empowering the Deputy Speaker”, Emeka Ihedioha to preside till a new Speaker is elected for the 8th Assembly.
The House which is expected to elect a substantive Speaker for the 8th Assembly in June, has been in a constitutional crisis on the issue of a possible leadership limbo on abrupt end to the eventful speakership of its helmsman Tambuwal. But Tambuwal himself announced a solution to the matter.
Though the House Rules provide for a Speaker Pro Tempore(provisional Speaker), their reign can only be established in the case of a removal of a Speaker by way of impeachment, resignation, death or indisposition.
According to Tambuwal; “The constitution never envisaged what has happened when a serving Speaker will be elected Governor as I will be sworn in on May 29
“Instead of election, we will suspend the aspect of the Rule and allow the Deputy Speaker continue as Speaker. The Deputy should continue to function in my absence”
He said the rumour that there was plan to shut down the House should be discontenanced insisting that “I have never personalized the position of Speaker”
In his remarks at the press briefing, he commended the House Press Corps for helping in stabilizing the Green Chamber and keeping faith with the tenets of democracy.
“I must thank you most sincerely on behalf of us both leadership and members of the House of Representatives for such a wonderful, very patriotic support to this institution”.
“You know very well that the legislature is the 3rd arm of Government and the most understood arm. I am sure by now If you are asked to write in your own opinion of the legislature, it will not be the same as it was in 1999. Therefore your understanding in working with the legislature made it very easier for the 7th assembly to manage itself and therefore your experience as reporters helped in achieving what the 7th assembly has achieved”
He pledged to continue his service to the nation as Governor and the Nigerian people.
Aminu Tambuwal
