Crisis in Gbajabiamila’s camp over letter to Oyegun

THERE appears to be a crack within the ranks of the Femi Gbajabiamila camp in the House of Representatives as some members of group have disassociated themselves from the letter emanating from the camp to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun on the sharing of principal offices.

The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara had last Thursday replied the national chairman on why the letter from the national leadership that contained the names of four nominees for the remaining four principal offices was not read on the floor of the House.

Dogara, Oyegun and long standing tradition

Dogara told Chief Oyegun that there had been a long standing tradition on the sharing of principal offices, which was always guided by the principle of federal character and that the 8th Assembly has decided to maintain the tradition for the sake of fairness to all the six geo-political zones.

But the Gbajabiamila group on Monday, faulted the Speaker’s position alleging that he was hypocritical in his assertion as he (the Speaker) had jettisoned zoning during the election of presiding officers of the House on July 9.

The group in the letter to Oyegun signed by Hon. Nasiru Sani Zangon-Daura, alleged that Dogara’s reply to Oyegun’s directives was fraught with fundamental flaws and that going by the House Standing Rule, the South-East that has only two APC members, who as first time members were not qualified to occupy any principal office.

However, two members of the group yesterday claimed that they were not part of the letter from the camp to the national chairman and that there was no time the group met to take such decision.

In a statement with the title, “Let’s sheathe the swords and embrace peace” signed by Muktari Dandutse representing Funtua/Dandume Federal Constituency of Katsina State and Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe representing Tofa/Rimin Gado Federal Constituency of Kano State, the members said there was no time they agreed to write the letter to the chairman.

The letter read in parts: “Our attention has been drawn to a letter dated July 18, 2015 purportedly signed by Hon Sani Zangon Daura and addressed to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Oyegun on behalf of the Loyalists Group.

Vanguard