Speakership: Reps Defy PDP, Retain Open Secret Balloting; Pass 187 Bills

The Will

24 May 2011

Speakership: Reps Defy PDP, Retain Open Secret Balloting; Pass 187 Bills

ABUJA, May 24, (THEWILL) - Against earlier expectations, the House of Representatives today refrained from reviewing its resolution adopting open secret balloting in the election of its principal officers even as the count to the inauguration of the House continues to create anxiety within the ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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The lawmakers had amended Order II, Rule 3, (f) (i) and (ii) of its Standing Rules to allow for open secret balloting.

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With the amendment of the section, members can now conveniently vote for the candidate of their choice without being victimized by the party or other contestants. The House is expected to elect new principal officers on June 7, 2011, when the 7th National Assembly may be inaugurated.

However, a week after the amendment was effected; chairman of the House committee on rules and business, Hon. Ita Enang believed to be playing the bidding of the PDP and the executive attempted to sponsor a counter motion seeking to rescind the resolution. Although he was unsuccessful, there were indications at the weekend after the meeting between leaders of the PDP and members of the House elected on the platform of the party, that the party may have perfected plans with some members to get the amendment upturned.

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There are presently three leading candidates vying for the position of Speaker. Hon. Ajibola Muraina (PDP, Oyo) and Mulikat Akande-Adeola (PDP, Oyo) both from the south west where the PDP has zoned the position to and current deputy minority leader of the House, Hon. Waziri Aminu Tambuwal (PDP, Sokoto) from the North West who has indicated his intention to contest.

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Our investigations also revealed that there are plans by the promoters of Tambuwal’s candidature to pair him with either Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (PDP, Imo) as Deputy Speaker or Hon. Akande-Adeola. Even as these permutations continue, Hon. Yakubu Dogara (PDP, Bauchi) has been campaigning vigorously for the position of Deputy Speaker in line with the zoning formula of the PDP. He is also highly favoured by the party and his fellow legislators.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has passed a total of 187 out of the 482 bills introduced in the lower chambers from June 2007 to date.