The crisis between the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and his deputy, Idris Wase, over the leadership of the 10th Assembly, deepened on Wednesday as the duo exchanged words.
It is believed Gbajabiamila is backing Tajudeen Abbas to succeed him while Wase is interested in stepping into the shoes.
Because of this, there is a speculation that Wase is leading other aggrieved members to impeach Gbajabiamila.
On Wednesday, Gbajabiamila was livid after Wase confronted him over the sitting of the House.
Gbajabiamila had directed that the agenda on the Order Paper be few to allow him attend the commissioning of the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies.
He stated that Thursday’s session must not exceed 2 p.m. to allow him to attend the event.
“Chairman Business and Rules, let’s make the order paper light for tomorrow because we have this — it is very important — the permanent site of the NILDS. It is at 2:30pm. So it will be good we close by 2pm,” he said.
But Wase challenged his decision, noting that the House cannot afford to be waiting time on commission while the business of the House is left undone.
“We have lost quite a number of periods of time. For the commissioning of projects for God’s sake, why do we have to shelve a lot of activities that we have just to go and witness the commissioning of a project of NILDS? I want to beg sir that we should do our functions,” he said.
Gbajabiamila was left fuming as he noted that no deputy speaker has ever challenged the speaker.
“Mr deputy speaker, this is the first time in history that a deputy speaker will challenge what the speaker is saying. I have been in this House for many years, perhaps even longer than anybody here”, he said.
