See why Gbajabiamila, Wase clash at plenary

Gbajabiamila, Wase clash at plenary

Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and his deputy, Ahmed Idris Wase, engaged in an unusual altercation during Wednesday’s House of Representatives session.

The source of contention was an announcement that Thursday plenary would be adjourned early to allow the speaker and members to attend the inauguration of the permanent site of the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) on airport road in Abuja.

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Gbajabiamila, prior to adjourning Wednesday’s plenary, requested that the Order Paper for Thursday be lightened, informing the chamber that President Muhammadu Buhari’s scheduled commissioning was scheduled for 3 p.m.

Therefore, the Speaker asked the Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business, the Honourable Hassan Fulata, to ensure that the Order Paper would not be overburdened with items.

At that time, the Deputy Speaker, Wase, stated that the primary function of the House was lawmaking and that the opening of the NILDS headquarters was not a sufficient reason to adjourn the House at 2 p.m.

He stated that members could attend the commission while the House continued to meet.

The Speaker responded, “DS, perhaps the significance of NILDS is not as apparent to you as it is to some of us. The House will not adjourn for members to attend the commissioning. I argued that the Order Paper should be streamlined because I will be present at the commissioning.

Wase responded, “Mr. Speaker, the House is not about me, but about us.”

The Speaker initially disregarded his deputy to make other announcements before addressing Wase.

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“DS, I have been in this House long enough to know that this is the first time in the history of this House that a Deputy Speaker will openly oppose what the Speaker says”, he stated.

Gbajabiamila said to the chairman of the Committee on Rules and Business, “Lighten the Order Paper for tomorrow.” This House will adjourn at 2:00 p.m.,” as members in the chamber shouted “carried.”

Members felt that Gbajabiamila’s support for the speakership candidate of the APC for the incoming 10th House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, was the crux of the matter, despite the appearance to the contrary.

Recall that Wase had also declared his intention to run for the same office, which could have pitted them against one another.

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