There was tension at the House of Representatives on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s (today) reconvening of lawmakers.

Findings showed that lawmakers across political party lines held a series of “strategic talks” on Wednesday, all aimed at check-mating a likely rowdy session today.

The PUNCH gathered that the majority Peoples Democratic Party and the leading opposition, All Progressives Congress members in particular, deliberated on strategies on Wednesday separately.

The Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, had reconvened the House today to hold a “special session” on the extension of the state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

The House has been on break and it is officially scheduled to resume on December 3.

However, before the latest development, there were pending issues agitating members, especially the October 28 defection of Tambuwal from the PDP to the APC.

The PDP had claimed that by his defection, Tambuwal had lost both his seat and position as speaker.

The party had asked Tambuwal to give up his seat to a PDP lawmaker.

Moves by the PDP and its House caucus to reconvene the House before December 3 have failed till date, owing in part to the litigation filed by Tambuwal and the APC House caucus.

On its part, the APC caucus had vowed to oppose any plan to reconvene the House without Tambuwal’s seal or with plans to remove him from office as speaker.

Following his defection from the PDP to the APC, Tambuwal is currently without security personnel.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, had withdrawn the Speaker’s police security personnel, claiming that under Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, Tambuwal was not entitled to security protection, having defected from the party on whose platform he was elected to the House.

The matter is still pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

But investigations showed that some PDP members planned to use the opportunity of today’s special session to bring up the Speaker’s defection.

One senior PDP source confided in The PUNCH that some members had been positioned for this purpose.

“The matter has to come up one way or another. They are likely to insist that this is not the time to discuss the Speaker’s defection since the House is still officially on break.

“But, that will not be so easy; there has to be a way”, the source told our correspondent.

It was learnt that the APC caucus was wary of the plans of their counterparts in the PDP. The caucus had reportedly resolved that the session should not derail from the “main agenda, which is the state of emergency.”

One APC source noted, “Go and look at the reconvening order issued by the Speaker.

“It says a special session to consider the extension of the state of emergency. There is nothing else after that matter is disposed of.”

But, another influential chairman of a committee dismissed the view of the APC member.

He said, “Nothing stops members from raising other issues. This is a parliament; you don’t gag people by telling them not to speak on issues agitating them.

“If there are other issues, we will discuss them. Expect some drama naturally.”

When contacted, the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Zakari Mohammed, told The PUNCH that today’s session would be “strictly on the state of emergency.”

According to Mohammed, the House is still on break till December 3.

He explained that the reconvening was approved because of the “urgency of the matter at hand.”

He spoke further, “This is going to be a one-item agenda; the state of emergency. We discuss it and we wind down again till December 3. Nothing else.”

On his part, the Deputy House Majority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, agreed that the emergency rule was the key thing. However, he added that members were free to raise “any other issue of urgent national importance.”

He added, “Of course, there are issues, such as the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the budget. If a member considers the MTEF or any other matter to be of urgent public importance, we will look at them.”

Ogor declined to answer a question on whether the Speaker’s defection was the “any other matter” he referred to.

The APC caucus leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, was unreachable on Wednesday. However, a source in his office told The PUNCH that the caucus was “not aware of any other matter for debate outside the state of emergency.”

Apparently unsure of what might play out today, the personnel of the Sergeant-at-Arms Office held “security briefings” on Wednesday.

“It is normal procedure, not that anything untoward will happen.

“We just meet regularly to review our measures,” one source told The PUNCH.

Close associates of Tambuwal were also said to be set to use today’s session to “test his popularity among members.”

“It is a test case; this is to test the ground on what to expect in the weeks or months ahead,” one source stated.

Source: Punch Ng

http://oyiidoma..com/2014/11/tambuwal-tension-mounts-as-reps.html?m=1

For petes sake,these apc maggots must'nt be allowed to hold the hor to ransome! Restricting today's session to just matters pertaining to the soe in those volitile ne states amounts to dictatorship and intimidation. That sonofabiitch oaf of a rogue speaker can't stir up the hornet's nest and expect to party and think everyone else is invicible. One can only imagine the brutality that would be the order if these jantawe.eds and touts from mars find their bloody arsses in power. That thieving tambo'ole must be impeached. He no more a member of the HOR.

The speaker should have known the constitutional implication of cross-carpeting while in office. However, I'm of the opinion that the House should not take any further action on the issue since it is before the Federal High Court already. Any further action in this regard could amount to contempt of court.

Rexxie:
For petes sake,these apc maggots must'nt be allowed to hold the hor to ransome! Restricting today's session to just matters pertaining to the soe in those volitile ne states amounts to dictatorship and intimidation. That sonofabiitch oaf of a rogue speaker can't stir up the hornet's nest and expect to party and think everyone else is invicible. One can only imagine the brutality that would be the order if these jantawe.eds and touts from mars find their bloody arsses in power. That thieving tambo'ole must be impeached. He no more a member of the HOR.

is dt wt u tink?

purplesummer:


.....However, I'm of the opinion that the House should not take any further action on the issue since it is before the Federal High Court already. Any further action in this regard could amount to contempt of court.

thats their game plan,their mischievous game plan and the leadership of the house and the pdp and nigerians must'nt play to the goddamm galery,must'nt be taken for a ride by these criminals...and again they cannot hold everyone to ransome

ESHOIZA:
is dt wt u tink?

what u mean? Why dont you let us know what you think..

Some of you idiots calling for Tambuwal removal are making me laugh, WHat happen to Mimiko, Akinlade, etc that decamp to PDP and some that decamped to SDP... APC know how to play there game... If Tambuwal is going down lots i mean lots will go down with him.

bashydemy:
Some of you idiots calling for Tambuwal removal are making me laugh, WHat happen to Mimiko, Akinlade, etc that decamp to PDP and some that decamped to SDP... APC know how to play there game... If Tambuwal is going down lots i mean lots will go down with him.

We are talking about law here and not logic or morality. There is ni constitutional provision for a Governor to lose his seat for decamping.Section 68 1(g) applies to just legislators.

The other legislators you mentioned were elected under ACN and not APC

Hoping to see the first sets of people to commit suicide today on nairaland. Then the second set would follow in february next year.

Rexxie:
For petes sake,these apc maggots must'nt be allowed to hold the hor to ransome! Restricting today's session to just matters pertaining to the soe in those volitile ne states amounts to dictatorship and intimidation. That sonofabiitch oaf of a rogue speaker can't stir up the hornet's nest and expect to party and think everyone else is invicible. One can only imagine the brutality that would be the order if these jantawe.eds and touts from mars find their bloody arsses in power. That thieving tambo'ole must be impeached. He no more a member of the HOR.

Bank'ole we know, who is tambo'ole?? Your dad?? Lmao

I just hope they dont start throwing chairs like Okadigbo's period........If they start, i will just leave there immediately. I dont want to be injured.

chukwudi44:


We are talking about law here and not logic or morality. There is ni constitutional provision for a Governor to lose his seat for decamping.Section 68 1(g) applies to just legislators.

The other legislators you mentioned were elected under ACN and not APC

And have you forgotten there are crisis rocking Sokoto PDP? So why was Murtala Nyako impeached cos he decamped to APC?

bashydemy:
And have you forgotten there are crisis rocking Sokoto PDP? So why was Murtala Nyako impeached cos he decamped to APC?

Nyako was impeached for corruption and not for defection.Please get your facts right. The PDP is not factionalised,that is all that matters

omenka:
Hoping to see the first sets of people to commit suicide today on nairaland. Then the second set would follow in february next year.

why are you so obsessed with suicide, your mentors pay lil girls to do that and now you are subliminally recruiting people here too?

To be honest, I think the matter of defection should be put on hold aobas to sort out the issues on ground... Tambuwal is doing a very good job as the speaker balancing the house and not being so partisan... Even APC members are committee leaders.... So why d fuss if he's doing his job well and he is doing it from another party, so what
People are dying in the north is this the time to raise word about defection? Geezz let's all be reasonable... Whether APC OR PDP, the aim is for a better Nigeria, so why complain? If he's doing a good job should we derail it because he's in another party? How then do we intend to move ahead if we are so bias as to what party he should be... I thought the major reason for electing these people irrespective of their affiliation is for the growth of the country.... Let's be reasonable... Its for nigeria ... Not for the party ....

Shebi he said his defection to the opposition was to save Nigeria? Em, let him save Nigeria to the fullest by relinquishing the position he got being a member of the ruling party na

rigarmortis:


why are you so obsessed with suicide, your mentors pay lil girls to do that and now you are subliminally recruiting people here too?

Perfect candidate! . Make the noose very strong man.

chukwudi44:


Nyako was impeached for corruption and not for defection.Please get your facts right. The PDP is not factionalised,that is all that matters

Are u aware dat pdp in sokoto state is divided into two versions? Are u also aware dat lately almost d lawmakers in legislature had decamped to apc long ago? Plus tambuwal knws better n hv his defense track as regard d decampment. There veteran lawyers he must hv met, consult already. Den mind u, d police doesn't enjoy d power to interpret d law, it's outside is jurisdiction as it can only enforce d law given a law court position n interpretations. Wat police did was nothin bt a Clare case of impunity dis govt of Jonathan is known for.
Cons. Was Clare on hw a speaker of d house shld emerge n hw he can b removed in office, it also made it Clare on wat cld b a legitimate cross-carpet. Go back n study read dat part of d constitution b4 jumping like frog

omenka:
Perfect candidate! . Make the noose very strong man.

don't worry I will buy the best brand, no chance of the rope snapping this time, then I will mail it to you, DHL, speedy delivery, I trust you will do the needful.

chukwudi44:


We are talking about law here and not logic or morality. There is ni constitutional provision for a Governor to lose his seat for decamping.Section 68 1(g) applies to just legislators.

The other legislators you mentioned were elected under ACN and not APC

Was there factions in the pdp or not? Why did the pdp loose 5 governors

bashydemy:
And have you forgotten there are crisis rocking Sokoto PDP? So why was Murtala Nyako impeached cos he decamped to APC?

Nyako was impeached because he milk his State dry.

jayonpoint:

Are u aware dat pdp in sokoto state is divided into two versions? Are u also aware dat lately almost d lawmakers in legislature had decamped to apc long ago? Plus tambuwal knws better n hv his defense track as regard d decampment. There veteran lawyers he must hv met, consult already. Den mind u, d police doesn't enjoy d power to interpret d law, it's outside is jurisdiction as it can only enforce d law given a law court position n interpretations. Wat police did was nothin bt a Clare case of impunity dis govt of Jonathan is known for.
Cons. Was Clare on hw a speaker of d house shld emerge n hw he can b removed in office, it also made it Clare on wat cld b a legitimate cross-carpet. Go back n study read dat part of d constitution b4 jumping like frog

Are you aware that some law makers in Sokoto were sacked for defecting to PDP?

Tambuwal is and will remain Speaker, House of Representatives. Any attempt or an attempted attempt to disrupt the leadership of the House will be laid squarely on the feet of Jonathan.

Tambuwal still remains speaker...If PDP could really do anything about it, they would've by now.

omenka:
Bank'ole we know, who is tambo'ole?? Your dad?? Lmao

0menka we know,who is this whistling_arsse,omenka? Oh i see,its da doppelhanger clone and double faced mordrake...

major466:

Nyako was impeached because he milk his State dry.

Hahahah funny, How about Seriake dickson, Gbenga Daniel, Suswan, Jonah Jang, Akpabio, Sule Lamido etc... so they are not corrupt?

Rexxie:

0menka we know,who is this whistling_arsse,omenka? Oh i see,its da doppelhanger clone and double faced mordrake...

hmmmm

apc are hypocritics