Reps In Rowdy Session Over Leadership Squabble …Tambuwal Condemns Poor Implementation Of Budget

The House of Representatives yesterday, in Abuja, was in a rowdy session over comment by Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila referring to the Deputy Majority Leader, Rep. Leo Ogor, as the Deputy Minority Leader.
Trouble started when Gbajabiamila stood up to contribute to a motion earlier moved by Rep. Ali Madaki, requesting for the removal and dismissal of the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mohammed Abubakar and Rivers State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mbu Joseph Mbu, respectively.
Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos), who refused to withdraw his statement, insisted that it was based on the provisions of the House rules on majority party in the House.
He said that it would be a breach of privilege of the APC as a party not to demand for its rightful place in the House.
He said that the purpose of any government was to protect its citizens.
The Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, advised members to always abide by court orders.
“Let’s continue as leaders to manage the affairs of the country well. We should continue to work together for the interest of our country,” he said.
Tambuwal said that the National Assembly was a key to the stability of the country.
A Federal High Court in Abuja on January 20, restrained the House from changing its leadership pending the determination of a suit filed by the PDP.
With the defection of 37 PDP members of the House , the APC has 172 against PDP’s 171 members.
Meanwhile, the House has mandated its committees on Rules and Business, Justice and Police to advise it on a motion seeking the removal and dismissal of the IG and Rivers CP, respectively.
The committee is expected to report back to the House in one week.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Rep. Ali Madaki ( APC-Kano) on “the need to save our nascent democracy,” which was adopted.
Madaki had alleged that in spite of the flagrant abuse of fundamental rights of the Rivers people, the police high command was protecting the police commissioner in the state.
“Mr Mbu is being protected by the police high authority in the face of abuse of constitutional duty of protecting lives and property of Nigerians,” he said.
He said that the unpleasant happenings in Rivers should be of concern to all and sundry.
Madaki said that democracy as an act of governance was predicated upon freedom of association and assembly.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday condemned poor implementation of budget by the executive, a development he said had become a persistent syndrome.
Tambuwal, made the condemnation when he welcomed the legislators from the Christmas and New Year recess, however, stressed that the budget would be scrutinised before its passage.
According to him, the poor implementation of budget by the executive over the years has continued to test the patience and tolerance of Nigerians of political officeholders’ commitment to their welfare.
“It is important to note that early commencement of budget implementation is of the essence in ensuring full, efficient and effective programme execution.
“Accordingly, while ensuring all due diligence and scrutiny for the realisation of a pro-people budget, we must work assiduously to pass the 2014 Appropriation Bill expeditiously.
“I am sure that Nigerians can count on our capacity to deliver in this regard,’’ he said.
Tambuwal also said that the lawmakers would pay attention to critical bills, including bills on Petroleum Industry, Pension Reform, and the proposed Electoral Act (Amendment).
He charged the relevant committees handling the bills to hasten work on them so as to facilitate their early passage.
He added that conclusion of work on review of the 1999 Constitution would also be given priority and that urgent attention would also be given to the issue of funding of the judiciary.
According to him, funding of the judicial arm of government is also critical in the consideration of the 2014 budget.
“We take cognisance of the fact that legal autonomy without financial autonomy will not deliver the truly independent judiciary that we crave for.
“Besides, given that 2014 is an election year, there is no doubt that the judiciary will be seriously inundated with election cases in addition to their normal workload.

Rivers State Dep Gov , Engr Tele Ikuru, signing the condolence register at the late Chief Frank Eke residence