By Wisdom Nwedene
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that the House is ready to hear the Minority Leader of the House, Ndudi Elumelu (PDP, Delta) motion for the resignation or suspension of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Ali Pantami, for alleged ‘links to extremists’.
In a statement made available to IGBERE TV by Hon. Benjamin O. Kalu, Spokesperson of the House of Representatives and Member Representing Bende Federal Constituency, Gbajabiamila said he never blocked a motion by Rep. Elumelu.
Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila
He said the House is guided by the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives (House Rules) in its operations and administration.
According to Gbajabiamila, the Minority Leader was asked to bring his views via a House motion to enable others contribute to it in true democratic fashion, after which the House would be able to take a position on the issue.
Isa Pantami
Hon. Gbajabiamila added that it is pertinent to inform Nigerians that the House has not acted in error, but in line with the provisions of its rules.
According to him, “All insinuations that the House did not allow democratic debate to take place on the important issue of Pantami’s resignation are simple untrue.”
The statement reads,
“The House is aware of several publications on online and traditional media claiming that the Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila blocked a motion by the Minority Leader of the House, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu purportedly demanding the resignation of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami.”
“This misrepresentation of facts for the sake of sensationalism has necessitated this statement of clarification.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the House is guided by the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives (House Rules) in its operations and administration. In this case, the Minority Leader has been asked to bring his views via a House motion to enable others contribute to it in true democratic fashion, after which the House would be able to take a position on the issue.”
“It is therefore pertinent to inform Nigerians that the House has not acted in error, but in line with the provisions of its rules. All insinuations that the House did not allow democratic debate to take place on the important issue of Pantami’s resignation are simple untrue. ”
“The House acknowledges the severity of the issue and its nature as a matter of public concern. As always, the House stands ready to give audience to Rep. Elumelu or any other member of the House on this issue, provided that such audience is sought through the proper channels and brought under the relevant rules of the House.”
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