The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila said the Jigawa State lawmaker is acting on his own while responding to questions on the allegations made by a lawmaker, Kazaure Gudaji (ADC, Jigawa) that over N89 trillion generated from stamp duties was mismanaged.
A week ago, Mr Gudaji, Secretary to the dissolved Presidential Committee on Reconciliation and Recovery of Stamp Duties Revenue, alleged that some officials around the presidency are making attempts to scuttle the work of his committee.
Although, the presidency, in a statement via presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu debunked the allegations, the lawmaker has not relented in pushing his claims.
Mr Gbajabiamila said since the decision to embark on the investigation did not emanate from the House, the lawmakers will not intervene.
He added that unless the integrity of the House, individual lawmakers or the leadership is impugned, the House will not step in.
“It was not based on a resolution of the National Assembly. It was not based on a motion from the National Assembly. I believe he said he had the executive authority to do what he’s doing. If that would be the case, I mean, then it’s got nothing to do with the National Assembly.
“Well, the House can only call Kazure to order to the extent that it is impugning on the integrity of the House or individuals or leadership of the House that have nothing to do with what he’s doing,” Mr Gbajabiamila insisted when asked if Mr Gudaji would be called to order.
He explained further, “I think it’s important to separate the two. If he has the mandate to do something, that’s on him. When it came up, we asked members of the executive they said they were not aware of any mandate or such mandate has been withdrawn. I don’t want to get into it. I don’t want to get into it except to the extent that he tries to impugn the integrity of members of the House. And that’s a no-no, we have nothing to do with this.”
