The House of Representatives on Thursday disclosed that the former Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Abdulmumin Jibrin, is yet to fulfil the major condition set for him before he could return to represent his constituency.
Abdulrasak Namdas, chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs who disclosed this during a media briefing, noted that Jibrin has not completed the 181 legislative days as comtiamed in the sang ion imposed on him by the House on September 28, 2016.
While responding to question on the expiry date for Jibrin’s suspension, Namdas said: “I talked with the chairman of the ethics and privileges committee, and he said the period is not yet over.
“Besides, when we passed the resolution, we said he (Jibrin) should apologize before the expiration of his suspension period, but he is yet to do that. If he does that, it’ll be known by everybody because it’ll be public,” he said.
In a swift reaction to the House position, Godwin Onyeacholem, Media aide to Abdulmumin Jibrin described his suspension as unconstitutional, expressed readiness to make whatever sacrifice for the good of the House of Representatives and Nigeria as a whole.
According to him, “Hon. Jibrin, having been denied access to the House, Chamber and his office in the last one year, has not completed the said “suspension”, and that even when he completes it, he would have to tender a written apology.
“The Honourable member views Mr.Namdas’ comments as insensitive and insult to the people of his constituency, coming on a day Kiru/Bebeji constituents gathered to further deepen their protests and mark a one year of brazen impunity and injustice meted on them and the member representing them (who it is a public knowledge committed no offense).
“For the avoidance of doubt, I wish to state that Hon. Jibrin’s position on this issue remains, as always, immutable. He has maintained that denying his constituents representation for one good year is unconstitutional and negates all known democratic principles, just as asking him to apologize for doing no wrong is a negation of all known social norms.
“It is somewhat weird that the official spokesman of the House claims that he does not know the exact date that Hon. Jibrin’s purported suspension would lapse. That in itself speaks volume of the subterfuge and sinister motives around the whole issue.
“Hon. Jibrin is aware of sacrifices required during struggles like this. He is therefore prepared to make whatever sacrifice for the good of the House of Representatives and Nigeria as a whole, so that posterity will remember him on the good side of history,” the statement read.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja
