Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has revealed reasons behind leaving out Abdulmumin Jubril’s name from the list of leadership of the House’s Standing Committees which he recently made public
The Speaker on Thursday released the name of chairmen of the Standing Committee with the name of Jubril, who is representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in Kano State conspicuously missing. This raise a dust fueling rumours that there might be a cold war between the Speaker and Jubril who was seen as the man behind the enthronement of Gbajabiamila as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
However, in a bid to douse the tension created by the omission, the Speaker took to his official Facebook page Friday night to explain to the Nigerian public reasons Jubril was not included in the leadership of the Standing Committees.
The Speaker said: “Yesterday, we appointed the leadership of Standing Committees of the House. It is usually a very challenging task selecting leaders among equals. But we did our best in record time as this is one of the earliest such appointments have been made since 1999. The House is now fully ready to perform its legislative duty.
“Let me clarify that Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin was not excluded from the leadership composition. He was involved in the composition process and declined accepting any committee leadership. Hon. Jibrin had, repeatedly, made clear his intention to leave the House. My persuasions and that of some other leaders convinced him, reluctantly, to stay a bit longer.
“He wants a fresh challenge and his preference will be to return to the university and pursue his professorial ambition, face his private business or serve in the executive arm of public service. I have no doubt, whatever he decides, he will be of immense value. He has had a meritorious career in the House over the last decade.”