…By Dorcas Funmi for TDPel Media.
Lawmakers from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria’s National Assembly are reportedly opposed to the Senate and House of Representatives’ plan to allocate 50 percent of committee chairmanship slots to lawmakers from opposition parties.
The APC intends to share committee chairmanship positions with major opposition platforms such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), and Young Peoples Party (YPP).
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas allegedly agreed to this arrangement prior to their elections on June 13.
The sharing formula is said to apply to various categories of committees designated as Grades A, B, and C.
The goal is to reward the support of opposition lawmakers and provide stability in the National Assembly, particularly in the Senate where Akpabio faced strong opposition.
Discontent Among APC Lawmakers Over Equal Sharing Formula
Senators and House members from the APC are reportedly unhappy with the sharing formula, which places their fate on par with lawmakers from opposition parties.
An APC Senator, speaking anonymously, criticized the equal sharing of committee slots, stating that it unfairly treats APC lawmakers the same as those from opposition parties.
The Senator questioned why the ruling party would share positions equally and argued that it would strengthen the opposition at the expense of the APC.
Another lawmaker, who attended a meeting with the Reps Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, revealed additional details.
Chinda disclosed that all House members, excluding those appointed to the appropriation committee, would be appointed as chairmen or vice-chairmen of various committees.
He also mentioned plans to upgrade parliamentary-friendly bodies to committee status, creating more chairmanship slots.
Conclusion:
Discontent has emerged among APC lawmakers in Nigeria’s National Assembly over the equal sharing of committee chairmanship slots with lawmakers from opposition parties.
The ruling party members argue that this arrangement undermines the APC’s position and strengthens the opposition.
Meanwhile, details from a meeting with the Reps Minority Leader indicate plans to ensure that all House members, except those in the appropriation committee, secure chairmanship or vice-chairmanship positions.
The unfolding situation highlights the challenges and political dynamics within Nigeria’s legislative landscape.