House Of Reps Members Opposed To Tambuwal,New PDP Meets



The crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party continued yesterday with 40 members of the House of Representatives opposed to the Kawu Baraje faction and Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, holding a suspicious breakfast meeting in Abuja.
The meeting was held behind closed doors in Plateau Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Barely a few hours after the meeting, the President removed his Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Mrs. Joy Emordi, as part of a new strategy by the Presidency to take control of the National Assembly.
Emordi was alleged to be using the carrot and stick method in dealing with National Assembly members instead of going for the stick policy.
According to our investigation, the 40 House members met to review the disruption of the visit of the Kawu Baraje faction to the House on Tuesday and how to form a “standing army” to resist moves by the New PDP members and the opposition to frustrate bills from the Presidency.
They also summoned the session, which was held between 9am and 10.30am, to design how to checkmate Speaker Aminu Tambuwal who is alleged to be sympathetic to the New PDP.
A text message inviting the affected members to the meeting reads in part: “You are invited to a Breakfast Meeting as follows: Date: Friday, 20th September, 2013 (yesterday). Venue: Plateau Hall, Tarnscorp HiltonHotel, Abuja. Time: 9.00am prompt. Kindly mobilize and attend with all those of our members who signed for peace and stability in our country, from your state (being one of our co-ordinators). Dr. Pat Asadu.”
The affected lawmakers tried to hide the session away from the public, but one of our correspondents was able to enter the hall without them suspecting.
The small hall in Transcorp Hilton with about eight to ten tables was filled, but there were no indications outside the hall to suggest the importance of the gathering as the aides and hangers-on that usually accompany the lawmakers were absent.
The front of the hall was empty, except for the hotel’s staff and security officers that even pretended not to be aware of the calibre of people in the hall.
The meeting was, however, presided over by a member of the Pan-African Parliament, Hon. Bethel Amadi, who is eyeing the governorship ticket of Imo State.
At the end of the meeting, a few of the lawmakers took their time to take a bite of the breakfast, while many left in groups with smiling faces.
One of the lawmakers, who spoke in confidence, said: “We decided to meet in order to bring in more members into our fold.
“We want to ensure a smooth reign for President Goodluck Jonathan between now and 2015.”
Another source said: “The lawmakers agreed to form a “standing army” to checkmate the majority in the House (New PDP and the opposition) who are already planning to frustrate all bills from the President.
“We are not after the impeachment of Tambuwal, but he has to watch it. With what happened on Tuesday, we have shown that Tambuwal has not caged all members of the House.
“Tambuwal should know that he is sitting on the edge. He has cause to be fair in all proceedings or else members will decide appropriately.
“We may not have our way, but we can cause enough trouble for Nigerians to appreciate the tyranny of the majority.”
Some of those in attendance were Tajudeen Yusuf (PDP, Kogi), Dr. Abiola Ajaja (Accord Party, Oyo), Friday Itulah (PDP, Edo) and many women representatives from the South-South and South-East axis.
Barely a few hours after the session, the Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Mrs. Joy Emordi, was removed by the Presidency for what a source described as allegedly being too weak in dealing with National Assembly members.
The source said: “Emordi believes in the carrot and stick method, but this is the time to call a spade a spade in the National Assembly.
“The invasion of the National Assembly by the Kawu Baraje faction was embarrassing and legislative aides to the President were not circumspect enough.

“If the National Assembly wants to draw a battle line with the Presidency, let it be done right away.”

CKN NEWS

Chris Kehinde Nwandu is the Editor In Chief of CKNNEWS || He is a Law graduate and an Alumnus of Lagos State University, Lead City University Ibadan and Nigerian Institute Of Journalism || With over 2 decades practice in Journalism, PR and Advertising, he is a member of several Professional bodies within and outside Nigeria || Member: Institute Of Chartered Arbitrators ( UK ) || Member : Institute of Chartered Mediators And Conciliation || Member : Nigerian Institute Of Public Relations || Member : Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria || Fellow : Institute of Personality Development And Customer Relationship Management || Member and Chairman Board Of Trustees: Guild Of Professional Bloggers of Nigeria

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