Following the constitution of the standing committees in the House of Representatives by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, members have been urged to support the Speaker for a successful tenure.
The appeal was made by a group of lawmakers, known as “Like minds,” at a media briefing in Abuja.
The group of six lawmakers including the Deputy Chief of Staff to the speaker, Mr Chamberlain Dunkwu dispelled the rumour of rancour about the committee chairmanships at a joint press conference in Abuja on Friday.
The Spokesperson for the group and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources Downstream, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, while addressing the media said that the composition was rightly done.
He appealed to lawmakers to understand the leadership of the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas adding that everyone can not be made Chairmen of standing committees.
Ugochineyere said that there was the need to work in unison to deliver excellent legislation and to serve the people of their various constituencies, especially during oversight functions.
He said that the focus of the Abbas/Kalu leadership was to provide an all inclusive House.
Ugochinyere also said the speaker exhibited the ability to satisfy all interest groups in the House.
According to him, Abbas has started living up to our expectations, so majority of members of the 10th Assembly are commending his leadership style.
The Lawmaker said the speaker and the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu considered the interests of members in decision making, as was seen in the composition of principal officers and chairmanship of the standing committee.
He said the parliament was more united than ever, and that the composition of the standing committee cut across different interests including those who contested the speakership with him.
According to Hon Ugochinyere, there was no winner and no vanquished in the composition as most of his challengers in the race were given relevant committees’ chairmanship positions.
“You can see, the main challenger, Rep Aliyu Betera was giving Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Committee, Rep. Sani Jaji was made chairman of Ecological fund. Also, Rep. Miriam Onuhoa was made the chairman of Tetfund, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa was made the chairman of Petroleum Resources Upstream, Rep. Yusuf Gagdi was made the chairman of Committee on Navy,” Ugochinyere said.
He noted that their frontline supporters were equally considered for committee chairmanship.
The “Like Minds” spokesman also said that the composition of committees was a reflection of the unity that exist in the House.
”And that is why you can see the unity and oneness in the house, we are now sets for the full business of a parliament. I can tell you authoritatively that Abbas carried a heavy burden. What is the heavy burden, As you aware we selected our leaders which The parliament is now more united than ever.“ He said.
Another member of the group, Deputy Chairman of the House of Reps Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Jafaru Gambo Leko, said that the one hundred and thirty-four committees were not just numbers but that they will come together to put in lots of work especially during oversight functions to ensure the serve the needs of those who voted them into office.
Present at the briefing also were; Aliyu Mustapha Abdullahi, Deputy Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Downstream and Sadiq Ango Abdulahi, Deputy Chairman House Committee on FERMA amongst others.
PIAK
