From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
A forum of members of the House of Representatives has passed a vote of confidence on the speaker, Tajudeen Abbas and deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, in the aftermath of the composition of House Standing Committees.
The forum, which consists of Ikenga Ugochinyere, Imo State; Jafaru Gambo, Bauchi; Sadiq Abdullahi Kaduna; Anthony Adepoju, Oyo; Stainless Nwodo Enugu; Ali Mustapha, Kaduna and Patrick Umoh, Akwa Ibom, said Abass and Kalu did their best to navigate a very difficult task.
The lawmakers, in a joint statement, on Saturday, lauded the magnanimity of the speaker and his deputy, in ensuring that those who contested against them for the speakership seat emerged as committee chairmen.
According to them, “Majority of the members have commended the Speaker and his Deputy for carrying all interests along in the decision that led to composition of the principal officers and the chairmanship of the standing committees. The selection committee did a good job by considering competence, fairness, equality in the choice of lawmakers chosen to head the various committees. The lawmakers particularly praised Abass and Kalu for prioritising gender balance in the composition of the committees, by giving some of the committees to women parliamentarians.
“Abbas and Kalu were also praised for being magnanimous. They gave committees to their major challengers who were Hon. Ahmed Wase, Hon. Aliyu Betara, Hon. Aminu Jaji, Hon Yusuf Gagdi, Hon. Ado Doguwa and Hon. Miriam Onuoha.
“Despite baseless rumours of hijack of the process by the Presidency, the committee members were focused and carried out the task with fairness and justice in mind. It was a job well done without any external influence. The lawmakers have passed vote of confidence on the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, expressing satisfaction with the selection. The 10th House is a peaceful and will be a very productive one.”