Haliru Muhammed, PDP Acting National Chairman
A day after President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated Hon. Aminu Tambuwal (from the North-west) and Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (South-east) on their election as House Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has promised to take “appropriate action” over House’s defiance of the party’s zoning formula.
The party, after an emergency National Working Committee (NWC) meeting, said it would not congratulate the duo as the positions were zoned to the South-west and North-east respectively.
Rather, the PDP said the zoning arrangement announced by the party after the April elections remained intact, reassuring members of the party that the NWC was still consulting and would come out with a position soon.
But former military leader, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida,
obviously rejoicing over the "rebellion" in the House, said the members had displayed "courage" against the party's leadership.
At the emergency NWC meeting summoned by the Acting National Chairman of the party, Dr. Mohammed Harilu Bello, at the party’s national secretariat, PDP lamented the election of the speaker and his deputy against the zoning arrangement.
After the three-hour meeting, the party came out with a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Ahmed Alkali, saying: “The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) notes with great concern the unfolding developments in the House of Representatives especially the outcome of the election of principal officers on Monday, 6th June 2011.
“While the party believes in, and indeed encourages the exercise of freedom of choice for all Nigerians including members of the National Assembly, it is important to reiterate that the principle of zoning is still an integral part of the PDP Constitution.”
According to the statement, “The idea of zoning is a well thought-out philosophy for national stability and integration. It is the only guarantee that every segment of Nigeria enjoys a sense of belonging by being represented in all the decision-making organs of the government of Nigeria.
“Consequently, prior to the election of principal officers that took place in the Senate and the House of Representatives on the 6th of June 2011, the NWC in collaboration with other decision-making bodies of our party made spirited efforts to build a consensus around the zoning formula. The NWC is currently consulting other organs of the party to re-assess the entire scenario and will come up with an appropriate policy in due course.”
When newsmen asked Alkali why had the PDP not congratulated the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, he said: “PDP will not congratulate them because they violated the party decision on zoning.”
He said at the appropriate time, PDP would make its position known.
According to another NWC member who spoke to some newsmen, “what happened is against the spirit of party cohesion and supremacy and it would not be allowed to stand.”
He said President Jonathan was currently outside Nigeria that once he returned and necessary consultation made, the party would come out with a position to address the anti-party activities in the House of Representatives.
“At the moment, the errant children are on their own,” he said. The emergency NWC meeting continues Wednesday.
Meanwhile, in a statement signed by his spokesman, Kassim Afegbua, Babangida said: “From my retirement abode, I feel excited about the bold and courageous step taken by the National Assembly (Upper and Lower Houses) through a show of independence for electing their leaderships - Senator David Mark as Senate President for continuity of robust Senate policies and Hon. Aminu Waziri-Tambuwal as Honourable Speaker.”
Specifically, Babangida, in the statement titled the Triumph of Reason, said: “The lower House must be commended for putting the Federal Constitution above partisan interest in the election of the Speaker, putting to an end, month-long scheming and manipulation.
“The bold moves of the Federal House of Representatives will further strengthen our democratic structures and entrench a culture of separation of powers with its manifest checks and balances for a people-driven democracy.
“It is a wakeup call and the earlier the polity allowed this culture of separation of powers to flourish, the better it would be for participatory democracy. I therefore, congratulate both leadership of the National Assembly for being true representatives of the people. Well done. I salute your courage."
The former military president, who assured the leadership of the National Assembly of his support, said: “Let me assure the leadership of the National Assembly of my unflinching support. I will be ready at all times to offer my advice in whatever little way for the sustenance of democracy, rule of law and stability of the system.
“The example that the Federal House has shown would go a long way to eliminate culture of impunity and executive interference into the internal operations and workings of the legislature. It will promote sound debate and robust interaction amongst the Lawmakers for the overall interest of the country.
“I have no doubt in (my) mind about the capability of Honourable Speaker Aminu Waziri-Tambuwal, to discharging his legislative duties with his irrepressible Deputy, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. This combination will no doubt give Nigerians true and positive representation in the art of law making and stability of democracy.”
Babangida is believed to be one of the brains behind the candidature of Tambuwal in order to get back at President Goodluck Jonathan for contesting in the April elections despite the zoning formula of the party which would have favoured the North.
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