L
LequteMan
Guest
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Rules and Business, Rep Albert Sam-Tsokwa, at a news conference to herald the resumption of the House from the Christmas and New Year break in Abuja has said that the defection of 37 PDP members to APC will not affect the leadership of the House.
"The leadership of the House of Representatives remains intact, having enjoyed and is still enjoying the confidence of the members,” he said.
“Nigerians should be assured that defection or no defection, the House of Representatives remains and shall so remain bound together by one solemn constitutional duty.
“The leadership of the House of Representatives emerged from the popularity of the candidates on one hand and the popular votes of members, and not on party lineage.
“The House has a date with history as encapsulated in its legislative agenda and this date it must keep faith with in the overall interest of Nigeria”, he said.
He said that defection was not new in a democratic process as the ruling party had also benefited from that process.
He added that the amendment of the constitution, Petroleum Industry Bill and the 2014 budget, among others would be prioritised as the House resumes.
"The leadership of the House of Representatives remains intact, having enjoyed and is still enjoying the confidence of the members,” he said.
“Nigerians should be assured that defection or no defection, the House of Representatives remains and shall so remain bound together by one solemn constitutional duty.
“The leadership of the House of Representatives emerged from the popularity of the candidates on one hand and the popular votes of members, and not on party lineage.
“The House has a date with history as encapsulated in its legislative agenda and this date it must keep faith with in the overall interest of Nigeria”, he said.
He said that defection was not new in a democratic process as the ruling party had also benefited from that process.
He added that the amendment of the constitution, Petroleum Industry Bill and the 2014 budget, among others would be prioritised as the House resumes.
