​Dogara, Gbajabiamila factions merge

The two factions of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the House of Representatives – one, loyal to the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, the other, the majority leader, Femi Gbajabiamila — have formally resolved their differences, with Mr. Dogara promising “best” of legislative business going forward.

On Wednesday night, Messrs Dogara and Gbajabiamila formally collapsed their factions into “one united” APC House Caucus during a closed door meeting at the National Assembly.

The meeting, which formalised the new alliance, was the inaugural gathering of the whole 213-member APC caucus since the National Assembly was inaugurated June 9.

The APC members were split into factions loyal to Messrs. Dogara and Gbajabiamila as well as the leadership of the party over principal positions of the House, culminating in the June 24 fracas on the floor of the House.

At the meeting, a dependable source quoted Mr. Dogara as saying, “Those who wanted to make capital from our initial disagreement would now have to go and settle their debt”.

Emerging from the meeting, the speaker also assured Nigerians that “with the combination of seasoned lawmakers in the body of Principal Officers, the country should expect the best from the 8th House of Representatives” under his Speakership.

Mr. Gbajabiamila said no more factions in the House, adding, “We are coming out bigger, better and stronger”.