The seeming indecision of the Peoples Democratic Party on the right approach to tackle the defection of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, to the All Progressives Congress is weakening the plan of its House caucus to confront Tambuwal.
Investigations by The PUNCH showed that up till Thursday (yesterday), the PDP had not given the House caucus a clear directive on what to do.
Findings also revealed that the party’s indecision was compounded by Tuesday’s order by an Abuja Federal High Court restraining the PDP caucus from reconvening the House before the official resumption date of December 3.
It was learnt that the House members had mulled over the issue and reportedly came to a conclusion that until there was an “agreement between the two sides and a clear directive on what to do to Tambuwal, there is little the caucus can do but wait.”
Our correspondent gathered that though the PDP met with the House members on Monday, the meeting reportedly ended without a position on how to respond to Tambuwal defection.
One reliable National Assembly source said, “Today is Thursday (yesterday); and as of today, there is still no directive from the party.
“This is a PDP fight, not the fight of the members. If the party has not taken a position or given the necessary marching orders, what will the members do?”
Other sources claimed that a request for “2015 automatic tickets” by the lawmakers and the alleged unwillingness of the party to oblige the request had not help matters for the two sides.
But for the alleged indecision of the party, sources said the House caucus believed reconvening the House “is one of the easiest things to do.”
One of the sources spoke further, “The House can be reconvened any time, be it on week days or weekends. It is very easy to do if the PDP gives the required backing to the members.
“The House rules are very clear. It is the leaders of various political parties in the House that will agree to reconvene the House, not the Speaker.
“You don’t need the Speaker’s approval. APC lawmakers are quoting the rules upside down.”
However, when contacted, House Deputy Majority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, claimed that the caucus was going ahead with plans to reconvene the House.
“We are working on it; we will reconvene the House if the need arises.
“I have made this point over and over again that the impression created by the APC that unless Mr. Speaker’s approval is obtained, the House cannot reconvene is incorrect.
“We can reconvene,” he added.
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