Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday, survived moves by some federal lawmakers to rally other members to pass a vote of no confidence on the former’s reign as Speaker, LEADERSHIP reports.
Wednesday’s development forced the Lower House to go into a two hour close door executive session were Tambuwal reportedly challenged members with any grouse to publicly table it before the entire House.
The vote of no confidence move which came after the Lower House resumed from its two month annual recess was reportedly spearheaded by a group of about six lawmakers, mainly of northern extraction.
Tambuwal’s offenses, according to sources who attended the session but prefered anonymity, stemmed from, among others, a cash freeze which the aggrieved members said have prevented them from running their constituencies.
The plotting lawmakers also reportedly faulted Tambuwal’s administrative style which they considered objectionable. They demanded an increase in their quarterly allowances.
Also, they expressed discomfort at the frosty relationship between the Lower House and the presidency,? a situation they insisted, have shortchanged members of pecuniary benefits and goodwill the Lower House might have benefited from the presidency.
The Speaker reportedly appealed to lawmakers that the cash freeze was not his doing as the N150 billion 2012 budget appropriated for both chambers of the National Assembly did not provide for an increase in allowances of members.