House inaugurates 96 Committees Monday, stresses equality.

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Amidst accusation and disquiet rocking the House of Representatives over the constitution of its 96 standing committees, the chamber will Monday inaugurate them to commence legislative activities in full throttle.

The chamber also said the committees are all equal, dousing speculation that some are superior.

The speaker, Yakubu Dogara, a fortnight ago announced constitution of 96 Standing Committees with their chairmen and deputies. 

Of the number, 48 members from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were chairmen and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got 45.

The House leader, Femi Gbajabiamila had complained that the speaker, Yakubu Dogara did not get the full support of the leadership before constituting the committees. 

In a letter to the Speaker, he alleged that he was sidelined while full and wide consultation was also lacking.

There have also been speculation that some committees allotted to the PDP caucus are juicier than those of the APC with argument that it could weakened the efforts to ensure the “change agenda of President Muhammadu Buhara.

APC lawmakers that are loyal to Gbajabiamila had insisted that the composition and quality of the headships of the committees were skewed in favour of PDP members, whose support helped Dogara clinched Speakership position.

The deputy chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Jonathan Gaza Gbefi (PDP, Nasarawa) Thursday dispelled this and noted that the grading of the standing committees was for mere administrative purposes but not of superiority or material benefits.

He explained that all committees have oversight roles to play in different areas of legislative activities.

Dogara had on Tuesday met with all committee chairmen and deputies in what was termed as a “familiarisation meeting”, aimed at building synergy among lawmakers in pursuit of the House legislative agenda . 

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