Politics

Tension in the House of Reps as Members Fight Over Buhari’s Health Status

Published

7 years ago

February 28, 2017

Members of the House of Representatives were left in a pensive mood following clash that occurred in the House over Buhari’s health status.

Tempers boiled in the House of Representatives after members engaged in a heated exchange of words on Tuesday over the health status of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The lawmakers, it was gathered quarreled over the use of the word “sickness” in referring to Buhari or explaining his reason for being away from the country to the United Kingdom since January 19.

The argument started as some of the member argued whether to say Buhari was sick or just abroad on ‘medical vacation’

Punch reported that it was the House Majority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, who started the argument when he tried to stop the Chief Whip, Mr. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, from describing the President as a sick man.

The two members from the All Progressives Congress could not control themselves over the matter. According to Punch, Ado-Doguwa was contributing and opposing a motion seeking to investigate the alleged harassment of members of ‘Kwankwasia’ followers, a political group loyal to former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

He had stated that the motion, which was moved by a fellow Kano lawmaker, Mr. Aliyu Madaki, was “basesless” because the Kwankwasia group was known for moving around the state and inciting people against the political leadership.

Ado-Doguwa observed that the country was already under tension owing to the absence of Buhari and could not afford any “partisan” activities that could lead to insecurity.

He added that the group was already campaigning for the 2019 presidential elections in a volatile place like Kano.

“Our beloved President is sick abroad.

“These partisan activities are completely unnecessary and baseless. The police must do their work of protecting lives and property anywhere in the country.”

At the end of it all, the “House resolved to set up an Ad-hoc Committee to invite the IG of Police & Kano State Police Commissioner, Rabiu Yusuf to ascertain the reasons for the undue harassment and intimidation of Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Kano State loyal to the Kwankwanssiyya Movement, in order to avert a breakdown of law and order in Kano State, and report back to the House within three (3) weeks for further legislative action. Other infringements across the country, such as in FCT and Rivers, should also be investigated.”