Daura -Why reps exchanged blows during plenary.

The All Progressives Congress member in the House of Representatives, Nasiru
Sani Zangon Daura, representing Zango/Baure Federal Constituency of Katsina
State, has issued a press statement on the physical battle that ensued in the
Green Chamber during plenary on Thursday.
At the plenary, the tension and divided interest among the legislators led to a
brawl between the two factions in the chamber.
The statement reads, “We are here on behalf of our colleagues of the APC
House Caucus to explain to you the unfortunate occurrence during today’s
plenary session.
“The action that occurred inside the chamber of the House of Representatives
was in reaction to the illegal and unconstitutional action taken by Speaker
Yakubu Dogara of the House of Representatives, an action in his usual tradition
of total disregard to the wishes of the majority members of the APC Caucus,
the Party itself and the spirit of the Party.
“We are aware of a letter sent by our Party, APC, dated 23rd June 2015,
conveying the approval of the party’s principal officers vis a vis the APC House
Leader, the APC Chief Whip, the APC Deputy House Leader and the APC Deputy
Chief Whip for the House of Representatives.
“This letter by the Party is in compliance with the expressed wish and mandate
of the Majority Members of the APC Caucus in the House of Representatives.
“This action of the party and the APC House Caucus is in compliance with the
Nigerian Constitution, the House rules and parliamentary tradition, practices and
precedents in Nigeria and all over the World.
“But to our surprise and in breach of our privilege and rights as contained in the
Constitution and extant House Rules, Mr. Speaker refused to read the letter
from our party.
“The Speaker and Deputy Speaker are not Party Principal Officers but are House
of Representatives Presiding Officers and by precedent and practice are
expected to provide a level playing ground for all members, while the Party
Principal Officers are supposed to be the main advocates for their individual
party positions.
“The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives are
elected by all members of the House of Representatives irrespective of party
affiliation and it is also possible under our extant rules for a Speaker and his
Deputy to be elected from a minority/opposition party in the National Assembly.
“Therefore, Speaker Yakubu Dogara of the House of Representatives cannot
under extant laws and House rules appoint, choose, select, dictate or even
provide guidance on how Party Principal Officers emerge or are elected or
selected. That responsibility and authority lies with each Party and Party’s
Caucus members in the House.
“If I may ask, is Speaker Yakubu Dogara empowered to do that for the PDP
House Caucus?
“This action by Speaker Yakubu Dogara cannot and will not be allowed to stand
as it will set a dangerous precedent in our parliamentary practice as it will give
the Speaker the right and authority to appoint, choose, select, dictate or even
provide guidance on how Principal Officers emerge or are elected or selected by
the Majority and Minority Parties in the House of Representatives. This action is
capable of truncating our democracy.
“As for the claim being made that a particular zone should not be allowed to
produce more than one Principal Officer, we say this with all sense of decorum,
that this claim is absolute rubbish.
“Precedences were set in the 6th & 7th Assemblies where a single zone, the
North-West, produced two and three Principal Officers, respectively.
“We, the loyal and disciplined majority APC Caucus in the House of
Representatives are fully committed in ensuring that our party’s and President
Muhammadu Buhari’s manifesto, agenda and positions prevail despite the
efforts and shenanigans of the opposition party(s) and the few disloyal and
undisciplined APC party members in the House of Representatives.
“We are determined in our efforts to utilise all legislative strategies available to
us, so as to ensure the compliance with due process and democratic norms and
values.
“We shall persevere, come rain come shine!
“We the loyal and disciplined majority APC Caucus in the House of
Representatives and the All Progressives Congress have dished out enough of
the carrots, it’s time to crack the whip so as to ensure party discipline and
maintain order.
“Dare I say, we rode to power on the platform of the party, the party is supreme
and thus no one is above the party.
“God Bless the All Progressives Congress.
“God Bless The House of Representatives.
“God Bless Nigeria.
“Thank You for listening.”