Teddy Oscar, Abuja
As the fate of House of the 37 members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House of Representatives, hangs in the balance, deputy chairman, Committee on Information Communication Technology (ICT), Hon. Tajudeen Yusuf, has declared that APC had never had the numerical strength to become the majority in the House.
An Abuja Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Adeniyi Ademola, had on Monday last week restrained the affected lawmakers from effecting a change in the leadership of the House in line with the prayers of the plaintiff, the PDP.
It subsequently declared the defection of the 37 lawmakers illegal and directed that their seats be declared vacant on the floor of the Green Chambers.
But the House, during an executive session held last
Wednesday to discuss issues arising from Monday’s court judgement, however, decided to stay action on the matter, pending the conclusion of other similar cases.
Yusuf, while briefing newsmen in Abuja, observed that one cannot take what one does not have.
“it is natural that opposition engage in propaganda because they are not in power. There has never been a time that the APC had the number to become the majority in the House. It was a deliberate attempt to mislead the public by certain elements in APC.
“We are lawmakers and I expect every one of us to be in the forefront of those who want to rule by the rules. If you have majority, call the clerk of the House on the floor and call for change in the leadership of the House. You cannot take what you can’t have,” he said.
He also spoke on the court ruling in respect of the defectors.
“I want to state clearly that it did not state that the 37 members should vacate their seats. It says they cannot participate in anything that has to do with change in leadership. However, there was a ruling on Monday (April 1). Before the purported defection, I am a lawmaker and do not expect to be part of those who break the law.
“The Nigerian constitution in Section 68 clearly states how you defect, so anything that you do that contravenes the law is a nullity before the law. They went to court on December 17th, asking for an injunction to restrain the Senate President and the Speaker from declaring their seats vacant knowing that if they make that move, the constitution empowers the presiding officer to declare the seats of whoever moves from his party because in Nigeria you don’t contest any party sponsorship, that is why Rotimi Amaechi of River State became governor without standing for election.
“Remember on Friday last week (March 28), the court struck out that which was meant by the APC to tie the hands of the senate president and speaker from declaring their seats vacant.
“PDP remains the only party that has democratic norms and practice, as a member of the party you can voice your opinion and does not make you an enemy of the party. I dare say that none of the members of the other parties would dare disagree with any authority of their party even when they are not consulted before decisions are taken.
“This (the ruling) made us to sit down and reflect on what to do and realizing that we do not have to go back to the era of the 6th Assembly when the House of Reps was turned into a theatre of war and we resolved that we are not where we should take decision.
“PDP caucus is still meeting. If you remember, Hon. Chinda raised a point of order when the purported defection was been carried out on why it was illegal and he was reminded of a pending court issue. By implication the point of order Chinda raised on December 18th 2013 still stands if the court order is vacated,” he noted.
