We won’t accept Gbajabiamila as majority leader, Dogara faction insists

Members of the House of Representatives loyal to the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, have said they will ensure federal character as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution is adhered to in the appointment of principal officers of the House.

The group said it stands by its offer that South West and North East cannot produce the majority leader of the House. The major contender for the slot is Femi Gbajabiamila, who is from the South West.

The Dogara group said this in a statement signed by Abdulmumini Jibrin, representing Kano, in reaction to an earlier statement released by members loyal to Gbajabiamila, who is the ruling All Progressives Congress’ preferred candidate for the position of majority leader.

The APC had initially adopted Gbajabiamila to become speaker. He lost the seat to Dogara.

Dogara rejects Gbajabiamila as the leader of the APC caucus in the House. He cites federal character since the deputy speaker, Yusuf Lasun, like Gbajabiamila, is from the South West.

The Dogara faction said Wednesday it was offering the Gbajabiamila faction the majority leader, but said the slot must be occupied by a lawmaker from any region except South West and North East, where Dogara comes from.

The group said it was making the offer to end weeks of bickering that has stalled legislative functions.