House Of Reps Raise Committee On Restructuring, Agitations

Following rising tension and agitation for secession by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and restructuring which dominated national discourse during its eight-week recess, the House of Representatives upon resumption of plenary session on Tuesday has resolved to toe the line of restructuring by revisiting the issue of devolution of power.

The green chamber also set up an ad hoc committee to reach out to various interest groups and stakeholders across the country as a means of resolving all contending issues that threaten the peace and unity of Nigeria.

The ad hoc committee is to be chaired by Yussuff Lasun, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Other members are Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos), who doubles as deputy chairman of the ad hoc committee; Buba Jibril, Deputy Majority Leader; Alhassan Doguwa, Chief Whip; Pally Iriase, Deputy Chief Whip; Leo Ogor, Minority Leader; Chukwuma Onyema, Deputy Minority Leader; Yakubu Barde, Minority Chief Whip; Binta Bello, Deputy Minority Whip; Nnenna Ukeje, Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Bode Ayorinde, Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business.

Femi Gbajabiamila, House Leader, moved the motion under matters of urgent public importance, calling on the House to as a matter of urgency and constitutional responsibility move to quench what he described as “a burning fire” which is threatening the existence of Nigeria.

Gbajabiamila urged the House to immediately set up “a strong committee” to liaise with all stakeholders across the six geopolitical zones for practical solutions to robust the unity of Nigeria.

He said there have been different agitations across Nigeria which have led to divergent views on the suitability of redefining the structures upon which the unity of Nigeria rests on.

These agitations, according to the House leader, have resulted in the proscription of groups, loss of lives and judicial pronouncements.

“Events of the last few weeks brought Nigeria close to the precipice but for the determination of Nigerians in their various show of commitment to the peace and unity of the country. Hence the urgent need for the intervention of the House of Representatives”, the lawmaker said.

He stressed the urgent need for members of the House of Representatives “who hold brief for their teeming constituents to drop partisan politics, ethnic and religious interests and speak with one voice to save our country from disintegration.

“Mr. Speaker, these issues regarding agitations were all over the place, from the East, the West, the North and South. And we have as a responsibility to speak with one voice as a House and bring healing and reconciliation to our dear country.

“So I ask, are we going to play the ostrich and act as if nothing is wrong? We have sworn to protect the unity and ensure the progress of this country and that we should be seen to be doing; and like it was said, the task of keeping this nation one is a task that must be done”, he said.

Reacting to the issues raised before ruling on the motion, House Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the session assured that the House stands for the co-dependence of the regions of the country.

“As leaders, we should not lose sight of the fact that we will only be remembered for things that we confront and not the things that we avoid‎.”

We Stand With Those Who Lawfully Seek Equity, Says Dogara

Earlier, Dogara said that the House as an institution will always stand with those who seek balance and equity in a lawful manner.

Speaking in respect of multiple agitations for secession and restructuring across the country, Dogara said the House will as a matter of urgency revisit voting on the constitution amendment in order to address agitations for restructuring in Nigeria.

The speaker made this known while delivering his welcome address at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, saying that all questions and issues regarding restructuring can only be addressed through the legislature.

“As an institution, this House stands firmly on the side of those who seek equity, fairness and justice so long as such is pursued in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which we as honorable members have sworn to protect and preserve.

“Anyone or group who assaults our constitution will not find a partner here because our oath of office repels it, but those who stand for justice, fairness and equity will have partners in us because our oath of office compels it. We would work shoulder to shoulder with all those working within the ambit of the constitution and the law for all Nigerians regardless of creed or ethnicity to be first class citizens as no nation can truly be first class if it harbours within its borders second or third class citizens”, he said.

‎On the debate about restructuring, Dogara asked, “Do we have a legislative response to the issues that have been thrown up? Is the National Assembly involved in the debate? Can restructuring take place outside the existing legal order? Indeed all the arguments about restructuring are at the end of the day, legislative issues.

“It may be necessary in due course for the National Assembly to have a second look at the issues that have been thrown up. The National Assembly as a representative and product of the people cannot act contrary to the wishes and aspirations of its constituents. We need to sift all the ‘noise’ and find out what exactly a majority of our people actually want? This is a responsibility we cannot outsource.”

He added that going forward, “It is my view that we need to revisit some aspects of the voting on constitution alteration. Luckily we still have the legislative window of conferencing with the Senate, where we have differences”. ‎

He stressed that Nigeria is a constitutional democracy with a clear legal framework for resolving differences that normally arise among citizens, between citizens and government as well as between the structures and arms of government.