ABDULMUMIN Jibrin, a member of Parliamentary Support Group (PSG) at the National Assembly has revealed why the group was formed.

The group made up of a gathering of legislators loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari sprung up during the recent amendment of the electoral act bill which sought to change the conduct of election sequence in the country.

The amendments proposed by the two chambers at the National Assembly sought to make some changes in the electoral act including changing the sequence of the 2019 election.

The federal lawmakers want their election to come up first, followed by that of state lawmakers and governors, and lastly the presidential election.

It was the adoption of the report by the two chambers that gave birth to the Parliamentary Support Group with its members accusing the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, of influencing it. Saraki on noticing the formation of the group disbanded it at upper legislative chamber.



The members of the group at the Senate known by HEADLINE include Senators Abdullahi Adamu and Ovie Omo-Agege. At the House of Reps, Jibrin is the only known member of the group as at press time.

When sent to Mr Buhari for his assent, he refused endorsing the bill citing infringement on the rights of the Independent National Electoral Commiasion, (INEC).

“The amendment to the sequence of elections in Section 25 of the principal act, may infringe upon the constitutionally guaranteed discretion of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to organise, undertake and supervise elections provided in Section 15(A) of the third statue to the Constitution,” Buhari said among other reasons he gave.

With the rejection of amendments by the president, the National Assembly threatened to override the president’s veto. A protest against the resolution from the group at the Senate got one of its member temporarily prevented from plenary though the suspended lawmaker has formally resumed.

After a joint closed door session on Tuesday the National Assembly tendered some resolutions it said needs the urgent attention of the president. It also threatened to exercise its constitutional power if its demands were not adhered to. Again this did not go down well with the PSG.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, the group said most people who spoke at the session were members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) claiming its members tactically avoided airing their views to prevent violent confrontation during the session. The statement was signed by Jibrin and this may earn him another legislative sanction after he resumed from a 180 legislative days suspension for allegations of budget padding.

HEADLINE could not ascertain as at press time if the legislator got the approval of the members of his group before releasing the statement.

Analysing why PSG was formed on Thursday, Jibrin said this was because of the incessant attack on the person of the president from the National Assembly. He said the attack has also ridiculed the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led government.

“The Parliamentary Support Group PSG which primary objective is to support @MBuhari has come to stay in the House of Representatives and the National Assembly at large. The PSG in both chambers are working closely, comparing notes and integrating its programs and action plans,” Jibrin said.

“The PSG has become necessary because of the unabated attack on Mr President on the floor of the House. An action that has severally embarrassed the President and portray the APC lead government in bad light.

“While we focus on mobilizing support for Mr President in the House, we challenge the leadership of the APC caucus in the House of Representatives to stand up and be counted in support of our party, the APC and government. We hope they will do the needful.”

PSG Denies Plot To Impeach Dogara

The group also denied allegation of plotting the removal of Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives stating why it began the collection of signatures at the lower chamber.

“We wish to categorically state that the ongoing taking of signatures of Members in the House of Representatives by the PSG is NOT for the purpose of impeaching the Speaker but to reaffirm our support for Mr President and consolidate his support base in the House.”

Source: https://www.headlineng.com/why-legislators-parliamentary-support-group-national-assembly/