Following the envisaged mass defection by federal lawmakers to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), as a fallout of last week’s dumping of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by four governors, the battle for the control of the House of Representatives may have begun.Daily Sun gathered that Speaker Aminu Tambuwal is under pressure to resign over fears that some of his colleagues, especially members of the PDP, who are not interested in defecting to APC, may pass a vote of no confidence in him as well as frustrate his leadership of the House. 

It was gathered that the lawmakers after Tambuwal would, among other reasons, accuse him of masterminding the insistence of $79 oil benchmark for 2014 budget projection.

Sources revealed that some legislators who have enlisted in anti-Tambuwal project have been meeting and trying to enlist as many supporters as possible. It was gathered that they are working with some chieftains of the PDP.

Daily Sun gathered that his supporters are also preparing to defend him, especially over the oil benchmark, since they have the support of governors of their states.

The lawmakers are backed by their governors, who also encouraged and influenced them to support a $79 benchmark because of the cash crunch that lesser benchmark would cause the states. Many of the states are having financial problem owing to a drop in revenue allocation, which has made it impossible for them to pay salaries and meet other obligations.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the main anxiety is that there may be commotion in the House, if some lawmakers trying to pass a no confidence vote in Tambuwal.

Some lawmakers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed fears that if there’s commotion in the House, security agents may take over the National Assembly, causing the House to adjourn sine dine.

“We are not afraid that they would succeed in passing a vote of no confidence in Tambuwal. Our fear is that in an attempt to do so, there may be commotion in the House, which could give those after the Speaker to send in security agents, just as it happened in Rivers State,” one of the lawmakers stated.

He contended that if this happens, it may be impossible for the House to meet and perform its functions, adding: “I suspect that the government is afraid that if APC takes control of the House, it would be difficult for it to get approvals on certain things. Therefore, they may not want the House to sit.”

 -Punch