For a party that has lost so much flesh to a point that is considered very critical in an election campaign year, it is not surprising that the PDP’s bony looks in the House of Representatives has now become a matter of amusement to stakeholders.
The jitters in the House
Though it is presently on Christmas break which would terminate on January 13, 2014, palpable tension has enveloped the flanks of the House. The tension first mounted weeks before it rounded up for the year. Speculations had been rife that the present House Leadership provided by the PDP would give way for an APC controlled leadership. Such suggestions have been fired since the 37 former members of the PDP crossed carpet last month.
Though it is presently on Christmas break which would terminate on January 13, 2014, palpable tension has enveloped the flanks of the House. The tension first mounted weeks before it rounded up for the year. Speculations had been rife that the present House Leadership provided by the PDP would give way for an APC controlled leadership. Such suggestions have been fired since the 37 former members of the PDP crossed carpet last month.
Prior to the defection of its 37 members, the PDP House members were 208 out of the 360 members in the House, while the APC had 137 members after the amalgamation of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria’s Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), the three political parties that formed it.
With the 37 members that have joined the former opposition party, the APC is now 174 while the PDP which had until now dominated the House since the return of democratic rule has now been reduced to a minority with 171 members.
With the 37 members that have joined the former opposition party, the APC is now 174 while the PDP which had until now dominated the House since the return of democratic rule has now been reduced to a minority with 171 members.
Expect the increase next week
Apparently, APC is not losing sleep over its prospects in grabbing the leadership of the House as the House resumes plenary next week.
Their chances are not in any way latent. The feelers from some of the members appear indicate an early change in leadership later this month.
Apparently, APC is not losing sleep over its prospects in grabbing the leadership of the House as the House resumes plenary next week.
Their chances are not in any way latent. The feelers from some of the members appear indicate an early change in leadership later this month.
Honourable Ogbonna Nwuke from Omuma/Etche Federal Constituency of Rivers State who is one of the lawmakers that defected from the PDP to APC in an interview with Vanguard gave vent to an early take over of the leadership by APC upon the House’s resumption. He also said that the APC would in a matter of few days hit the 181 expected to form a simple majority.
“Within the House, 2014 will be a remarkable year for Nigeria, remarkable in the sense that, of course, the trend which began in late 2013 in terms of power shift will continue and what that means is that APC should be able to get the 181 members which give it complete majority. When that happens chances are that the leadership will shift from PDP to APC.”
“What we just need, I think is between 8 and 9 new members in terms of those crossing from PDP to APC. And that will be the APC requisite that will shape the House and points the future direction of the House. But what is certain is that if everything does not change, the leadership, the majority leader will need to relinquish that position because at the end of the day a party cannot be in the minority and still hold the position of the majority Leader”, he said.
The National Chairman, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur (left) and Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal during a solidarity visit by to the chairman yesterday, 15, January, 2013
Tambuwal and Ihedioha’s fate
The tinkering of the House Leadership presupposes a complete metamorphosis in the chain of command excepting the offices of the Minority and Deputy Minority Leaders. But it does appear that the 7th House of Representatives has some unique character that does not raise eyebrows on the party affiliation on the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.This has strengthened insinuations that the speaker is hobnobbing with the opposition APC.
Nwuke observed that Speaker Tambuwal and probably his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha may survive the sack.
“I think that because of the popular way they have led the House, I think that the sentiments within the House still support that the two of them can continue in the driving seat. The Speaker is not threatened in any way. A lot of members in the House also think that Ihedioha has been a good deputy.” “Whatever happens, people are looking at them on the basis of their own recognition, their track record, not on the basis of what platform they belong to,” he stressed.
The tinkering of the House Leadership presupposes a complete metamorphosis in the chain of command excepting the offices of the Minority and Deputy Minority Leaders. But it does appear that the 7th House of Representatives has some unique character that does not raise eyebrows on the party affiliation on the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.This has strengthened insinuations that the speaker is hobnobbing with the opposition APC.
Nwuke observed that Speaker Tambuwal and probably his deputy, Emeka Ihedioha may survive the sack.
“I think that because of the popular way they have led the House, I think that the sentiments within the House still support that the two of them can continue in the driving seat. The Speaker is not threatened in any way. A lot of members in the House also think that Ihedioha has been a good deputy.” “Whatever happens, people are looking at them on the basis of their own recognition, their track record, not on the basis of what platform they belong to,” he stressed.
Vacant Seats Declaration threats, Automatic Ticket Deal and No going back decision
Given the ego and size of the PDP, it was not surprising that soon after the defection of the 37 members that the party issued threats to vacate the seats of its former members. However, the members were well prepared having obtained court orders before their action and it was not surprising that it appeared to be a lost battle.
Aware of this, the PDP immediately dangled the carrot of automatic tickets to run in 2015 general elections.
This, Vanguard learnt, was a measure to woo them back to the “family” and also prevent further mass exodus of its members. But it obviously did not work as the Rubicon had been crossed already.
Given the ego and size of the PDP, it was not surprising that soon after the defection of the 37 members that the party issued threats to vacate the seats of its former members. However, the members were well prepared having obtained court orders before their action and it was not surprising that it appeared to be a lost battle.
Aware of this, the PDP immediately dangled the carrot of automatic tickets to run in 2015 general elections.
This, Vanguard learnt, was a measure to woo them back to the “family” and also prevent further mass exodus of its members. But it obviously did not work as the Rubicon had been crossed already.
Personal decisions
Could Tambuwal move over to the APC immediately? Nwuke said: “Everything is possible. What matters is his conviction in relation to what is happening in the country. Does he really believe that the PDP has what it takes to contain the House even on the floor of the House as Speaker? Those are personal decisions. But I am sure Tambuwal is very mature politically and will take the right decisions when the time comes on his own.
Could Tambuwal move over to the APC immediately? Nwuke said: “Everything is possible. What matters is his conviction in relation to what is happening in the country. Does he really believe that the PDP has what it takes to contain the House even on the floor of the House as Speaker? Those are personal decisions. But I am sure Tambuwal is very mature politically and will take the right decisions when the time comes on his own.
“I think that the PDP should look at the constitution. They should look at the powers that are conferred either on the leadership of the House, on INEC or even on it as a party platform. I don’t think it has the capacity to declare any seat vacant. The other day, INEC chairman made the declaration that INEC hasn’t got the power to do so. He even said that no presiding office has the power to do so. I think that matter should be led to rest.
“There is also Goni Versus FEDECO ruling, Atiku Versus OBJ ruling, many more rulings in those areas which shows that in the event of crisis within the party, people have inalienable right to move to where they think they can function. I believe that PDP has used that as an instrument to coarse members from moving. But I am sure you know of some order from the court which also forbade the Speaker, President of the Senate, the PDP even INEC from declaring the seats of those of us who have crossed over. It still subsists and nobody can do anything about that.
“But to answer directly, I doubt very seriously that the PDP has the capacity to declare any seat vacant. Those are empty threat and I am sure that by now, they should turned full circle and that explains why PDP is promising those who have left automatic ticket.
“From what we understand, the last interaction between and members of the national assembly, PDP offered automatic ticket to its members in the House of Reps. So, I think, for it is an indication of a change of rhetoric, a realization that their threat is not working. They found out that they need to be more engaging in their relationship with its members and members of the Nigerian populace.
“But we have always said that we have crossed the red line. We have crossed the Nile; we are not going back to Egypt. There is no. Way we can return to Egypt. We are looking forward and we are convinced that we have acted in the best interest of the Nigerian people and in the best interest of democracy”, he said.
Bottomline
Given the opposition’s influence on the official businesses of the House; Motions and Bills since the beginning of the PDP crisis, the ruling party might just be on its way to difficult times.
Many believe that the politics that prompted President Goodluck Jonathan to mandate the Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela to lay the 2014 Budget proposal before the House on his behalf is one indication of the dread the PDP and the presidency have for an APC controlled chamber.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/01/house-leadershippdp-going-going/#sthash.WWY6ngOZ.dpuf
Given the opposition’s influence on the official businesses of the House; Motions and Bills since the beginning of the PDP crisis, the ruling party might just be on its way to difficult times.
Many believe that the politics that prompted President Goodluck Jonathan to mandate the Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela to lay the 2014 Budget proposal before the House on his behalf is one indication of the dread the PDP and the presidency have for an APC controlled chamber.
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