Budget impasse: We willnot compromise the interest of Nigerians -Tambuwal

By SIMON EBEGBULEM, being
SPEAKER of the Federal House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal,
Friday, declared that the National Assembly will not compromise the
interest of Nigerians in the ongoing impasse between the Federal
Government and the National Assembly over the 2013 budget.
Speaker Tambuwal who arrived Benin City aboard a private jet at about
10.30am, with registration number 5N-LDM, said the speculation that he
was dumping the PDP for the yet to be registered APC remains a rumour,
asserting that he still remains a member of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP).
The Speaker was in Benin for the Birthday and wedding Anniversary of
the Deputy Governor of Edo state, Dr Pius Odubu, who was his colleague
in the House of Reps between 1999-2007.
Very curiously however, none of the leaders of the PDP in Edo state
was at the Airport to welcome the Speaker. The chairman of the PDP in
the state Chief Dan Orbih and the Publicity Secretary of the party,
Matthew Urhoghide, told journalists on telephone that they were not
informed of the Speaker's visit.
However, the Airport was filled with supporters of the Action Congress
of Nigeria (ACN) in the state who sang his praises in native Benin
language. ACN House of Reps members in the state including the
Minority whip of the House, Samson Osagie, Pally Iraise (Owan), Rasaq
Bello-Osagie (Oredo), and Jim Adun.
In a brief chat with journalists at the Airport, Tambuwa who was asked
to comment on the budget impasse between the National Assembly and the
Presidency, said that "we are still consulting, it is all about
consultation and we will keep on talking to ourselves and ensure that
Nigerians get the best out of it but I assure you that what the
National Assembly is doing is to ensure that Nigerians get the best
out of every situation.