The majority leader of the House Of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, has distanced himself from having a hand in the ongoing budget padding controversy that has engulfed the House.

In a statement on Monday, the lawmaker said that he has worked well with the Speaker and all other principal officers in a bi-partisan manner and in the interest of the institution and the country.

The statement reads:

“Since the budget controversy that engulfed the House about a week ago, I have pointedly maintained a dignified silence.

“I did this for the sake of the institution I represent and which I have labored hard to grow and protect, knowing that whatever I say could be impactful both within the House and outside it.

“I was determined to keep in place the glue that holds an otherwise fragmented House, protect its integrity and at same time avoid eroding the little confidence and vestiges of hope Nigerians have in us.

“Unfortunately, the controversy has now taken a different turn following the rather strange if not comical text making the rounds amongst members about my complicity in this rather sordid matter. I am being dragged into an arena I tried very hard to stay out of only for the good of the House.

“The Speakership election has come and gone. The election was divisive and acrimonious but I have since worked hard to heal the wounds some of which still fester amongst members on both sides.

“It is my responsibility to bring all tendencies in a House I lead together and I have worked well with the Speaker and all other Principal officers in a bi-partisan manner and in the interest of the institution and the country.

“This text message, which desperately seeks to finger me in some macabre plot to destabilize the House is a throwback and echoes our dark post Speakership election history. The resurfacing or resurgence of the faceless text messengers will not help us as a House and let me quickly add that it will fail.

“My strongest critics and biggest political adversaries in the House cannot deny the fact that my commitment has always been to strengthen the legislature and its processes and our democracy as a whole.

“I consider everyone a friend and colleague and urge that as we collectively work towards a stronger legislature and strive to deepen our democracy, we do not pull back the hands of the clock nor lose sight of the enormous responsibility placed upon us by providence as members of a critical arm of government.

“On the budget issue at hand, it is clear that our budget process needs radical reform and very quickly too.

“Yes, allegations have been made but I strongly believe judgment should not be passed based on allegations. We operate a constitutional democracy and we must at all times submit to its dictates and ethos.

“All parties are innocent until otherwise proven. This should be our guide. I plead with all members. The mudslinging must stop.”


http://www.channelstv.com/2016/08/01/budget-padding-gbajabiamila-distances-self-calls-calm/

I concur

A good one.

Cool headed and corruption free, Our next speaker INSHAH ALLAH . I know some wailers will not like this News.

Very mature reaction from the house leader. He should not join Dogara and Jibrin in their mud fight.

EFCC and ICPC should thoroughly investigate all the allegations raised and anybody that is found culpable should be prosecuted.

Gbaja stop deceiving yourself they can't pad budget without your consent

You should have continue in silence you think Buhari will sacrifice his fulani kinsmen for you

wowmenow:
Gbaja stop deceiving yourself they can't pad budget without your consent

You should have continue in silence you think Buhari will sacrifice his fulani kinsmen for you

What is your concern ? Must you display your hatred for Buhari every where.

Femi shut up you thief!!! You have been caught dipping your hands inside the cookie jar so STFU!!

Can a budget be padded without your knowledge/input as majority leader.

Abeg bros leave story and let the mudslinging continues for you guys to expose your buffoonery and corrupt ridden closets.

Nice one I don't av much to say but I know the associations of haters and wailers av,so wailers the floor is urs.

Dogara is in deep youghourt.

He is supposed to be the one making press statement but, the Bros don go hide, hoping things wld have calmed down by September when the house will resume and he will suspend Jubril.

Dogara is a gonner.

Gbaja keep quite and stop rigmarolling! Go straight to the point. U are the house leader and over 400bn was inserted into budget as special projects and U folded your hands and got nothing! The speaker alone got about 30bn and other principal officers including minority leader got something and U were "saintly" not involved. Why was Tibunu threatening fire for U to become Speaker if not because he want U to add some padding that will be later awarded to him and his cronies!

Stop lying please!

solid3:
Dogara is in deep youghourt.

He is supposed to be the one making press statement but, the Bros don go hide, hoping things wld have calmed down by September when the house will resume and he will suspend Jubril.

Dogara is a gonner.

Jibrin is playing a script likely written by APC leadership/Buhari and in cahoot with OBJ.

Anyway let's see how far this will go and those that'll be consumed if it's not swept under the carpet.

He didn't even deny the allegation from jubrin

Jubrin said all principal officers of the house of reps padded the bdget so oga go and clear r name.

what is this man trying to say?
as far as am concerned all the principal officers have hands in the paded budget. bunch of thieves

HAY-PEE-SEE

Nice one man.
But you for teach dogora some things too

Dignified silence my ar53. Are you afraid of speaking the truth?

A case where dogs are the protectors of some pieces of beefs
Only the simple minded would think the meats wont be tampered with

“Observing under a mango tree”

Owk, more to come ova this issue

guilty concience don dey worry femi. why d long face
if u tink buari is not behind d confussion in house of reps den u ar still a toddler in politics. d dullard is using bribery, divide n rule tactics (advice by OBJ) in house of reps to remove n change d leadership. dem executive arm don settle jibrin with mouth watering offers to open him mouth. unfortunately for d executive, dis interferance n confusion in national assembly will come back to haunt dem. just wait n see wat will happen to 2017 budget. d way dem go do buari shege, notin go move. honestly nigerians don enta one chance.

Let's wait & see how it will unfold. I just hope all the allegations would not end as inconclusive & swept under the carpet because the more you look, the less you see when it comes to Nigeria politics.

Kaybee14:
Let's wait & see how it will unfold. I just hope all the allegations would not end as inconclusive & swept under the carpet because the more you look, the less you see when it comes to Nigeria politics.

this is my fear.

Trying to distance himself from padding so that, when impeachment comes he can become the speaker, you all are thief as far as am concern.

Politicians and lie are like bread and butter

Tinubu in Action.

Gbaja, pls stop supporting those useless thieves. Dongo , Didirin must go.Those irresponsible goats make pipu insulted Baba Daura on diz budget issue.Wish baba Daura nah Joko Widodo

I am highly disappointed in Gbaja


We lack honest politicians in our Country.

#Shame

I see.

Omolomo, he no want make them drag his already soiled name in fresh mud ni....

Make gbaja defend himself... Are you part of the corrupt practices ? Yea or no. Lobatan