More troubles await the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, over his recent defection to the All Progressives Congress, according to feelers.
Tambuwal might be barred from entering either his office or the National Assembly when the House resumes on December 3, apart from his security details that were withdrawn by the Nigeria Police Force on Thursday. This was one of the decisions reached during a meeting held by top officials of the Peoples Democratic Party which had in attendance President Goodluck Jonathan.
Tambuwal on Tuesday adjourned the House till December 3, after he took his colleagues by surprise, announcing his defection from the PDP to the opposition APC.
But on Thursday, the Police authorities withdrew his security aides
The legal advice before the Federal Government and the leadership of the PDP was that Tambuwal was no longer the speaker of the House in the eye of the law, said a top Presidency source who prefered anonymous.
He noted that the speaker contravened section (68)(1)(g) by defecting when there is a subsisting court injunction to the effect that there is no division in the PDP.
According to him, the decision to strip Tambuwal of all the rights and privileges of the speaker was taken based on that legal submission.
The source added that the government and the PDP leadership resolved that instead of taking Tambuwal to court for defecting without vacating his seat, he would be the one to go to court when his rights are withdrawn.
He said, "The withdrawal of Tambuwal's security details is in order. Section 68 (1)(g) made it clear that a lawmaker who defects when there is no division in his party shall vacate his seat.
"The legal advice is that the operational word there is 'shall.' That section of the constitution is self-
"There is a subsisting court injunction that there is no division in the PDP and that there is no merger.
"It therefore means that based on that constitutional provision, Tambuwal is no longer a member of the House. Since he is no longer a member, then he cannot be the speaker.
"The withdrawal of his security details is in order. He will even be stopped from entering his office. He is no longer a member of the House.
"Instead of us taking him to court, he will be the one to go to court."
President Goodluck Jonathan had on Wednesday engaged some leaders of the PDP in a meeting aimed at taking a common position on the matter.
Those who attended the meeting included the National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Mu'azu; the Deputy Leader of the House, Leo Ogor; as well as governors Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe); and Sullivan Chime (Enugu),
the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki; and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Muhammed Adoke (SAN).
There were also indications that the House might reconvene within the next one week to take further actions over Tambuwal's defection.
The decision to reconvene the House was also one of the outcomes of the meeting between Jonathan and some principal officers of the House and PDP leaders.
The principal officers were the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha; the Majority Leader, Mulikat Akande-Adeola; and the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor.
By enabling provisions, the House requires the approval of one-third of the total number of 360 members to reconvene the House.
"What will happen is that about 120 members will sign and pass over to the speaker, asking that the House should be reconvened. That is what is going to happen in the next one week."
Sit tight, fasten ur sit belt, adjust your helmet and let's watch as it unfolds.
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