Reps’ Leadership Crisis: Dogara to compensate Gbajabiamila, others

The two  factions in the House of Representatives leadership crisis, yesterday, announced that they have resolved their differences.

The factions also assured President Muhammadu Buhari of the support of the All Progressives Congress, APC, members in the lower chamber.

Addressing journalists on the resolution of the leadership tussle, which had threatened the unity of the House and truncated legislative business, the spokesman for the Consolidation Group,  Hon.  Abdulmumin  Jibrin, said  the two factions decided to embrace peace in the interest of the country.

Jibrin, in a statement titled, ‘The disagreement is over’, noted that  the issue of those that would  assume the positions of the remaining principal officers  among members of the   APC had  been enmeshed in deep controversy.

“Several efforts were made to find solution to the crisis and a couple of proposals were advanced. It is in this spirit that the Speaker, Hon  Yakubu  Dogara, proposed in what is now known as the Dogara formula an equity team,” the lawmaker said.

“Mr Speaker argument has always been since the North-East and South-West have produced the  Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the remaining principal officers positions should go to the North-West, North-Central, South-South and South-East in the spirit of equity, fairness, justice, a strong precedence and provision of the Constitution.’’

He explained that the intense consultations carried out by Speaker  Dogara  eventually led to the birth of the  Dogara  Formula that  saw the emergence of what was now known as the Equity Team.

He said, “In line with the formula, the Equity Team has Hon.  Alhassan  Ado  Doguwa (APC Kano, North-West) as House Leader, Hon  Buba  Jibrin(APC  Kogi, North-Central) as Deputy Leader, Hon  Pally  Iriase (APC Edo, South-South) as Chief Whip and Hon. Chika  Okafor(APC Imo, South-East) as Deputy Chief Whip.

“Interestingly, both the Speaker and a great majority of the APC caucus in the House including gladiators in the Gbajabiamila’s group like Hon Mongunu, Hon Doguwa and Hon Pally support and stand by the Equity Team.

“We have   commenced collection of signatures which has reached advanced stage to affirm the Dogara formula. All other interests, including those excluded from the principal officers, specifically Hon Gbajabiamila and Hon Mongunu, will be duly accommodated with commensurate responsibility to serve.

“Since the Speaker has about 200 positions to share out, many members will have the opportunity to serve the country.”