Pantami: Gbajabiamila reveals why Reps did not consider motion on minister’s dismissal

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said he did not block a motion demanding the dismissal of the minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Pantami.

TheCable reports that Gbajabiamila said on Thursday, April 22, that he only faulted the House minority leader, Ndudi Elumelu, for not following due process when he raised the matter.

House of Representatives

Recalls that VAM News reported that during the plenary on Wednesday, April 21, Elumelu had raised a point of order calling for the sack of Pantami over his past views supporting terror groups such as Al-Qaeda and Taliban.

The speaker, however, said it was wrong for the lawmaker to have raised an external matter under privilege, which concerns issues that affect only lawmakers.

He had said: “You have come under the wrong order but your point has been noted.”

A lawmaker from Borno state, Ahmed Jaha, on Thursday, April 22, drew the attention of his colleagues to reports claiming that the House blocked a motion on Pantami.

Jaha noted: “As a member of this house, from my understanding, this house did not stop the minority leader from moving a motion.

The speaker informed the minority leader that he should come under a proper order. Nobody stopped him from raising his point of order.”

Gbajabiamila agreed with him, saying that matters of privilege are not subject to debate.

The speaker stated: “As you have rightfully observed, Elumelu came under Order 6 – matters of privilege. Privileges are not motions and are not debated or even require seconding.

There was no motion here yesterday.”

He later asked any lawmaker who has a petition or motion on Pantami’s case should follow the due process and bring it for consideration.

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