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| Aminu Waziri Tambuwal |
Barring any last-minute hitch, House of Representatives’ Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal will defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) today, ending speculations on his political future.
Tambuwal is expected to defect in what may appear a historic decision by any leader of the House.
But, contrary to the calculations of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Speaker may not vacate his seat or resign from the parliament because neither the 1999 Constitution nor the House Rules makes provision for him to step down.
The defection will enable the Speaker attend the APC’s Extraordinary National Convention tomorrow.
The Nation learnt that Tambuwal bowed to pressure to defect to the APC after consultations with his constituents in Sokoto, eminent leaders of the North, prominent politicians nationwide and members of the House of Representatives.
It was gathered that a five-man Strategy Committee in the House spent the last one and a half weeks to examine the pros and cons (including the legal implications) of the Speaker’s defection and gave him the go-ahead.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The Speaker is moving with his constituents and supporters to APC. It has taken two years that the people of his constituency and the people of similar world view have told him to leave PDP where he has been sidelined.
“Even at a recent APC meeting in Sokoto, chairmen and secretaries of all wards and party leaders in the state were emphatic in their call on Tambuwal to defect to APC. In an apparent reference to the Speaker, they said whoever will succeed Wammako must be presentable both locally and internationally; he must be mentally capable with good records of performance; he should also be acceptable to all parts of the state.”
“The APC leaders praised the Speaker for a job well done; they appreciated his resilience and doggedness in the face of intimidation. So, you can see where the Speaker’s inspiration is coming from.
The Speaker is said to have opted for APC because he believes “every politics is local”. He shares this same vision with a former Speaker of the U.S. House, Tip O’Neill and he has hearkened to the pressure from his people, the source said.
Responding to a question, the source added: “The Speaker will not vacate his seat or resign as a member of the House. This is another historic bend to Tambuwal’s defection because the 1999 Constitution and House Rules do not say he must quit.”
Section 50(1) (b) of the Constitution says: “There shall be a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected by the members of that House among themselves.”
Order 1 Rule 2 and Order 2 Rule 3(1) only ask the House to regulate its conduct. It is silent on whether the Speaker should emerge from the ruling party or the opposition.
Order 1(2) says: “In all cases not provided for hereinafter, or by sessional or others, precedents or practices of the House, the House shall by resolution regulate its procedure.”
Order 3(1) says: “3(1) The election of Speaker shall take precedence over any other motion. No any other motion shall be accepted while it is proceeding and the House shall continue to meet if necessary beyond its ordinary daily time of adjournment, notwithstanding any Standing or Special Order, until a Speaker declared elected.
Most members are said to have made a strong case for the retention of the Speaker in the light of the Constitutional provision and House Rules.
A principal officer said: “Having enjoyed quality leadership from the Speaker since June 2011, most members of the House, across all parties, have agreed that he should remain in charge of the chamber with his amiable deputy, Chief Emeka Ihedioha.
“You will recall that the Speaker and his deputy were products of a unique revolution in the House in 2011. Most members are still committed to this spectacular change.”
But there were indications last night that the Presidency and the PDP might join issues with Tambuwal on the provision of Section 68(1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution.
A PDP NWC member said: “We are waiting for the Speaker to defect before demanding compliance with Section 68(1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution.
“We have been meeting on the anticipated defection but Tambuwal, who is a lawyer, has been very careful. Therefore, Tambuwal’s move to any party is still in the realm of speculations.
“A High Court had ruled that there is no crisis in PDP. So, any defection by any member of the National Assembly is illegal.”
Section 68(1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution says: “A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected
“Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored…”
But a pro-Tambuwal lawmaker said: “Neither the Presidency nor PDP can take any action on Tambuwal because there are pending suits on some defectors before a competent court.
“Let them wait for a pronouncement from the court. Any pre-emptive reaction or plans by the presidency and the PDP will be prejudicial.”
As at press time, it was gathered that the Extra-ordinary National Convention of APC may effect some amendments to the party’s constitution to grant waivers to new members, such as Tambuwal to vie for offices.
...culled from THE NATION
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