Contrary to the news making the rounds that he was unceremoniously removed, Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano), who was today replaced as Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, insists that he voluntarily stepped down – a claim corroborated by Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

The new chairman of the committee is Mustapha Bala Dawaki (APC, Dawaki-Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency, Kano State).

During plenary, Speaker Dogara told journalists in Abuja that “Jibrin came to me and said he can’t do it anymore that the pressure was on him.”

Jibrin had earlier told a news conference that he resigned the office on personal grounds, saying: “I don’t expect that this will bring any obstacle. I still remain a member of the House.”

There are speculations that Jibrin was forced to resign because of the way the 2016 budget was handled by his committee. Asked if this was true, he said: “Some of these circumstances that led to my resignation will be addressed in due course.”

He said he took responsibility of everything that happened before his resignation, adding that his relationship with the House remains unchanged.

According to him, “I consulted my family before i took this decision and I don’t have any regret.

“I left unblemished in various committees I have served in the House and am happy about that.”

Present at the briefing were members of the Appropriations committee, including Deputy Chairman, Chris Azubogu (PDP, Anambra).

Jibrin had been a close ally of Dogara, having served as the returning officer of the Speaker’s election on June 9, 2015.

However, it was gathered that their relationship went sour with the way Jibrin reportedly handled the 2016 budget that left many members of the House displeased.

•Photo shows Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin.

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