House Reacts to Alleged Doctoring of Standing Rules by Gbajabiamila to Favor Open Balloting

Udora Orizu in Abuja

The Leadership of the House of Representatives, has refuted allegation that its standing rules had been doctored to compel an open ballot system in the elections of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the 10th assembly.

The rumours, which came on the heels of the nomination of Hon. Tajudeen Abbas by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the preferred candidate for the speaker and Hon. Benjamin Kalu for deputy speaker, has the outgoing Speaker Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila being fingered as the brain behind the act.

Following APC’s announcement of their anointed candidates for National Assembly leadership, some of the aspirants have expressed grievances and are still surging ahead with their aspiration to become the next speaker of the House of Representatives.

Gbajabiamila was said to have come under fire and faced an impeachment threat as some aggrieved lawmakers reportedly began moves to actualise the move.

Efforts by THISDAY to uncover the identity of some of the signatories, was futile as many of the lawmakers reached out to refused to speak.

At the official declaration for speakership by Hon. Betara Aliyu, one of the aspirants and outgoing deputy speaker, Hon. Idris Wase, who spoke at the event, said they would not allow the parliament to be hijacked by any individual.

However, the doctored standing rules tagged the 10th edition was said to have introduced a strange and obnoxious provision for electing the Speaker and Deputy through an open ballot instead of the existing rule of secret ballot that has been in use since 1999.

Section 2 (f) (iii) of the controversial  clause captioned “election of presiding officers” stated that, “every member voting shall name clearly and in the open the candidate of his choice.”

THISDAY investigation revealed that the amendment was made formally effected in July, 2019. In the document sighted, in the House Votes and Proceedings of No 16, Thursday, 25 July, 2019, the lawmakers officially rectified the ballot system which necessitated the changes.

In section 3 of the standing rules tagged “election of presiding officers/tellers, the word “clearly” featured conspicuously.

Chairman of the ad hoc committee on the review of the standing rules, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, presented the report to the House and it was adopted.

The section reads “3. (f) when two or more Members-elect are nominated and Seconded as Speaker and where the two or more accept, the election shall be conducted as follows: Division /Tellers method of voting.(i) By electronic voting; or (ii) voting shall be conducted by the Clerk to the National Assembly using the list of the members-elect of the House, with the proposers and seconders as Tellers.

Reacting to the development, Ihonvbere, who also doubles as House Committee on Basic Education and Services said the document was never tampered with.

“Let me state very clearly that I was the Chairman of the ad-hoc Committee that reviewed our standing orders. Those that know me can attest to the fact that I adhere to the highest levels of integrity in any assignment I undertake. The process was transparent and in line with our Rules.

“Mr. Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila did not interfere once in our deliberations. I never had even a one-on-one meeting with the Speaker throughout the process. The committee finalised its work and it was laid accordingly.

“The rest is history. It is not my wish to take up issues on the merit and demerits of the recommended and approved process. For now, let me state very categorically that the document was not tampered with in any way.”

In a chat with THISDAY, the House Spokesman, Hon. Benjamin Kalu said members of the 9th House were not ingrates and would never stand with any one spreading these lies to dent the image of Speaker Gbajabiamila, adding that, any member insinuating that the House rules was forged was either ignorant or mischievous.

Meanwhile, the House which was expected to hold plenary Tuesday suddenly adjourned to next week, May 16.

A brief statement by the Clerk, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria said it was to enable members participate in the ongoing induction of the new members-elect.

“This is to inform all Hon Members and the general public that the House of Representatives will not resume plenary on Tuesday 9th May, 2023 as earlier adjourned. The next adjourned date will be Tuesday 16th May, 2023.

“This change is intended to allow members partake actively in the ongoing induction programme of the 10th National Assembly. All inconveniences are highly regretted,” Danzaria said.