The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Thursday said the ongoing trial of the President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, for false asset declaration at the Code of Conduct Tribunal had nothing to do with the politics of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
He said since the issue had to do with the law, Saraki would be given his day in court.
Gbajabiamila spoke with State House correspondents shortly after he and some members of the House of Representatives met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He also denied any leadership row in the National Assembly. “Everything that has a beginning, has an end. I don’t think and I don’t know if there is any leadership crisis in the National Assembly.
“I am not sure at what you are alluding to; I am not in the Senate. But the little I understand is that there is an issue involving the Senate President. That has nothing to do with the APC.
“That has to do with the issue of law and I am sure the Senate President is being represented and he will have his day in court.
“If the matter comes up, I don’t think it is an APC issue; it is not an APC issue at all.”
The House leader also said the lower chamber remained solidly behind the President on his ongoing anti-corruption war.
“God help any member of the National Assembly that is not disposed to it (corruption war). This is the most critical cankerworm that is destroying the fabric of the society. All members are favourably disposed to the war,” he said.
On the reported political solution being allegedly proffered by the APC to resolve the Saraki’s issue, Gbajabiamila said he would not comment or promote unsubstantiated reports.
He said since the problem was a legal matter, he could not fathom how such matter would be resolved politically.
The House Leader also ruled out the possibility of the constitution of House committees causing crisis.
He said, “It would be handled by members of the House. The correct thing is that justice is done, equity is done and once that is done, then there is not going to be a problem.
“There are 180 or 190 committee slots while there are 360 members. So, whichever way it falls out, the important thing is the fallout that is not based on equity, then there may be a problem.”
He described his visit to the President as routine and that issues discussed included the budget.
He said, “This is just a routine visit to Mr. President; one arm of government visiting another arm.
“You know the important role of the House; I, being in charge of government business in the House, we discussed the issue of budget and a few other housekeeping matters to further cement the relationship between the House and the President.
“Absolutely, we understand the logic of the zero budgets unlike the envelope budget system, which has issues under the best circumstances. Zero budgets where everything starts from scratch, they have to justify every penny.
“It is part of the government efforts to block leakages and the House is in firm support.”
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