Dogara’s loyalists demand juicy committees

Following demands from loyalists of the outgoing House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Majority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila is weighing options.

Gbajabiamila has the choice of either bowing to the demands or going it alone in his bid to become the Speaker of the ninth House of Representatives.

The ranking loyalists and associates of Dogara are demanding retention of the chairmanship of critical committees to back Gbajabiamila.

Having met a brick wall in the attempts to whittle down the acceptance of Gbajabiamila, the Dogara loyalists, who are mainly in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and few All Progressives Congress (APC) members, have their eyes on the Deputy Speaker seat.

They have also demanded that the office of the Deputy Speaker should be conceded to the group in favour of John Dygeh, from Benue State, against Gbajabiamila’s adopted Deputy, Ahmed Idris Wase.

In the alternative, Dogara loyalists are considering Umar Bago for Speaker and Nkiruka Onyejeocha as Deputy Speaker.

But new members of the House, who are in the majority, have prevailed on Gbajabiamila to treat all members equally without concession to any group.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that despite having audience twice with Dogara for his blessing, Gbajabiamila is facing fresh hurdles from the loyalists of the outgoing Speaker.

It was learnt that Gbajabiamila’s supporters felt the demands of Dogara’s loyalists were at variance with the power-sharing formula of the ruling APC. They argued that key committees that will drive the economy cannot be left in the hands of the opposition in the manner Dogara did.

It was unclear if Gbajabiamila will stick to the APC template or make concessions.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “With his campaign so far, Gbajabiamila has remained broad-minded by reaching out to all caucuses and groups in the House.

“The only challenge at hand is on the demands of pro-Dogara returning lawmakers for the retention of the chairmanship of critical committees in order to support Gbajabiamila.

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“These committees include Finance, Appropriations, Power, Foreign Affairs, Petroleum (Upstream, Downstream and Gas), FCT, Health, ICT, NDDC and Aviation, among others.

“They actually wanted a commitment from Gbajabiamila’s camp, which is difficult because it will amount to intimidation or coercion. The supporters of Gbajabiamila are asking Dogara’s loyalists to build trust in Gbajabiamila and his ability to be fair to all.

“The new members-elect have prevailed on Gbajabiamila to ensure equal stake for all.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “In deference, Gbajabiamila has met Dogara twice to seek his support. The Speaker has no doubt promised to back Gbajabiamila but his actions and those of his loyalists contradict such earlier commitment.

“I can tell you that Gbajabiamila, his supporters and APC are weighing options. Gbajabiamila’s loyalists are resisting any template that will make them drop Ahmed Idris Wase as Deputy.

“Gbajabiamila is comfortable working with Wase than any other deputy speakership candidate propped up by Dogara loyalists and anti-party elements in APC.”

As at press time, the concerned loyalists of Dogara were said to be working on a “Plan B” to team up with Umar Bago as Speaker with Nkieruka Onyejeocha as Deputy Speaker.

“They want to alter the APC power equation, which the ruling party might not accept. The last strategy is to launch a massive campaign of calumny against Gbajabiamila during the last week to the election of principal officers.

“This blackmail has started with a sponsored suit to restrain Gbajabiamila from contesting for the office of Speaker.

“Same strategy was used in 2015 speaker ship race in which the court eventually cleared Gbajabiamila of no criminal conviction.”