This is why Dogara Conceded House Leader to Gbajabiamila

This is why Dogara Conceded House Leader to Gbajabiamila

Details have emerged on how the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara conceded the position of House Leader to the former Minority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

It was gathered that following the directive from President Muhammadu Buhari to the gladiators of the warring Consolidation Group headed by Dogara and the Loyalists' Group headed by Gbajabiamila on Monday night, both camps had resolved to maintain the party arrangement, but allow APC zonal caucuses to decide the occupants by election. 

Dogara may however have realised that he would not be able to secure any positions for his loyalists if he allowed the matter to be decided by election.

A source told Journalists that already, APC members from the North West were considering nominating another member other than Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa. Some of the them, including Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso were said to be miffed at the manner Doguwa quickly abandoned Gbajabiamila and pitched his tent with the Consolidation group, when he was offered the position of House Leader. Hon. Pally Iriase  who was also offered the position of Chief Whip, was also considered to have betrayed the cause of party supremacy.

Both men, before they formally accepted and defended their acceptance of the nominations, were key members of the Gbajabiamila caucus.

“After plenary yesterday, the APC members were supposed to head to the secretariat, where the elections would be conducted. But the Speaker decided if the matter went to election, he may not be able to get Dogara and Iriase on board. Remember that he went out during the debate on the legislative agenda while Lasun took over. Likely he went to decide on the matter” a source told THISDAY.

THISDAY further gathered that Gbajabiamila was taken by surprise by the announcement, which the Speaker made when he returned to the floor of the House, because he, Gbajabiamila, was expecting to go for elections as agreed in the resolution. 

“So in the end, while he conceded the major position of contention to Gbajabiamila, his loyalists occupy the other positions. He chose Buba Fibrin over Monguno, but obviously Monguno would also be given commensurate appointment,” the source added.

The positions as announced on Tuesday by  Dogara are Deputy Leader, Hon. Buba Jibrin (North Central),  Chief Whip- Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa (North West)and Deputy Chief Whip- Hon. Pally Iriase (South-South).

THISDAY gathered that steps are being taken by the different caucuses to try to mend fences which have been badly fractured in the last few weeks of wrangling.