Dogara Flouts Supreme Court Order, Refuses To Swear In Hembe’s Replacement

Over three weeks after a Supreme Court judgement, the Speaker of the House of Representatives,

Recall that in June, the apex court sacked Herman Hembe as the lawmaker representing Konshisha/Vandekiya federal constituency of the House of Representatives and a Senator from Taraba State, Abubakar Danladi.

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The court declared Mato as the authentic candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC‎, which won the election and Shuaibu Lau as the person validly elected to represent Taraba North in the Nigerian Senate.

While the upper chamber has heeded the courts judgement, swearing in Senator Lau, the lower chamber has flouted the order.

It was learnt that Mato has been to the National Assembly several times with the expectation that she would be sworn in. However, the speaker on all occasions failed to swear in the lawmaker.

Speaking on behalf of Mato on Thursday, a lawmaker from the Benue State House of Assembly, Maureen Acka who accompanied her to the House of Representatives, said Mato has met all requirements and had no reason not to be sworn into office.

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“They asked to wait that they were coming and we all waited patiently, only for them to come out and nothing happened. Papers have been filled, and she has done all the things required of her,” she said.

“This is really strange… I just pray and hope that this is not some kind of a game because it will not be right. We know the law.

“I’m a member of the APC. I was in ACN before… she (Mato) is a honourable person.”

Meanwhile, sources at the House revealed that Dogara has refused to obey the court because of his closeness to Hembe.

“Hembe is one of the closest lawmakers to Dogara. He was one of those who mobilised against Gbajabiamila (Femi, the House Leader) and even Jibrin‎ (Abdulmumuni).

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“The speaker is in a tight situation on the matter,” the source close to Mr. Dogara said.

Another legislative aide to a principal officer of the House said all that was required was for Mato to beg Mr. Hembe.

“The Speaker will only swear her in when Hembe tells him to,” the ‎aide said, seeking anonymity as he was not permitted by his principal to speak to reporters.

‎In his reaction, spokesperson of the House, Abdulrazak Namdas told journalists at the National Assembly that Mato was yet to meet the requirements expected of her before she would be sworn in.

“It’s not true that the speaker has refused to swear her in because she is a woman,” he said.

“A colleague of mine from Adamawa state lost his seat after a court of appeal ruling. He was replaced by a woman named Talatu, she was sworn in immediately.”

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“So, you can see it is not an issue of gender bias. I know, as a matter of fact, that if there is any pronouncement by the court, there are also some processes you have to undergo in the house before you are sworn in.

“I’m not aware that that has been done. I have to look at it well. If all the necessary things have been done, I don’t think there is any reason that she will not be sworn in.”

 

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