The House of Representatives in Nigeria this afternoon finally resolved the crisis over the choice of its principal officers, with Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila emerging as the Majority Leader.

Gbajabiamila’s emergence, as announced during plenary by the Speaker of the House, Honourable Yakubu Dogara, is a signal that the different factions may have closed ranks on the matter.

Earlier in the day, Senate President Bukola Saraki had announced Senator Godswill Akpabio as the Minority Leader of the Senate.

Senator Saraki read a letter at plenary submitted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the Senate which listed the names of the remaining principal officers in the upper chamber.

Senator Emmanuel Bwacha was named Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Philip Aduda becomes Minority Whip and Senator Biodun Olujimi is Deputy Minority Whip.

Senator Kabiru Marafa had raised a point of order alerting the Senate that the nomination of Senator Godswill Akpabio violated the Senate rules on ranking. He was, however, ruled out of order by the Senate President after Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu explained that the Constitution allows every lawmaker, irrespective of ranking, to aspire for the seats of principal officers.

The Senators afterwards passed a vote of confidence on the principal officers, warning the police and security agents not to be used by any person to blackmail Senators and their spouses.

Back in the House of Reps, other key positions announced by the Speaker showed Honourable Buba Jubril being chosen as the Deputy Majority Leader, while Honourable Alhassan Dogwa was made the Chief Whip. Honourable Pally Iriase was chosen as the Deputy Whip.

Earlier, the Dogara group had argued that the Majority Leader should not come from the South-West and the North-East zones, considering the fact that the two zones produced the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker positions.

Today’s agreement may have put to rest the long drawn disagreement over the matter and a clear indication that the intervention of President Muhhamadu Buhari may have helped resolve the crisis which had threatened the unity of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

•Photo shows Hon. Gbajabiamila.

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