But the Whip of the House, Ado-Doguwa, in an SMS to The PUNCH, explained that the alleged budget padding scam was the least of the challenges facing the House.
Ado-Doguwa stated, “The unfortunate budget padding matter, in my opinion, is not going to be a priority issue at all.
“Even though the House may wish to address its shortcomings through our internal legislative code, I am confident we will have no time to waste on the budget padding issue because we all believe the matter is mischievous and unfounded and therefore lacks merit to attract our special attention.
“We, as leaders, will not allow ourselves be distracted by politically-motivated trivialities.”
In response to what is going to top the agenda of the House on resumption, Doguwa said, “Robust oversight of ministries and agencies of government vis-a-vis the implementation of the 2016 budget through our committee systems will be our key priority.
“Other priorities will be to continue on the lawmaking process from where we stopped. We have over 116 bills at various levels of legislative considerations; we will continue on such bills.
“The President’s possible request for emergency powers will also be on the priority as a House of the people. We will also give attention to any request that is intended at improving the lot of our people.”
Jibrin has said he will not be bothered if his colleagues in the House suspend him when the House resumes on Tuesday (today).
He stated this on a live television programme titled, ‘Politics Today’ on Channels Television on Monday.
He added, “On the issue of suspension, I am less bothered. Perhaps that is the sacrifice I will have to make for the country and for us to be able to deal with the issues of corruption in the House, but I doubt very much that the 360 members, having followed the events of the last two months, and of course the letter I wrote to each member last week, will go on the floor of the House and start talking about suspending me.”
The lawmaker said even if he was suspended, he would continue to fight corruption and ensure that Dogara, and the three other principal officers in the House were brought to justice.
Jibrin added, “Whatever happens on Tuesday and the rest of the days we want to spend in the House before the end of the year, one thing is certain and I say this without any element of contradiction, I will continue to pursue this issue until justice is served on Speaker Dogara and other principal officers whether I am suspended or not.”
Senate focuses on economy, may summon finance minister, CBN gov
On resumption on Tuesday (today), Senate President Bukola Saraki is to address his colleagues after which they may or may not debate his speech, which is expected to set the tone for Senate deliberations in the weeks ahead.
