Senate begs aggrieved members over committees’ leadership composition

As the rumpus over the appointment of committee chairmen rages, the Senate has begun moves to pacify aggrieved lawmakers, most of whom are of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).Part of the peace initiative initiated Wednesday eveni≈ng by Senate President Ahmad Lawan was visit to the Abuja homes of the displeased legislators.

It was learnt that when Lawan got to the residence of a ranking senator from the South West to preach peace, he stressed that all actions taken by the leadership in constituting the committees were in good faith.

The lawmaker was equally said to have assured his visitor that he would not take the development personal.Senate spokesman, Adedayo Adeyeye, in an interview yesterday, stated that it had become necessary for the legislators not to allow the committee chairmanship issue cause any distraction.

He equally promised that the matter would be reviewed before the end of the four years’ tenure of the ninth Senate.“I would plead with those who may have one complaint or the other to sheath their sword. They should see their chairmanship or membership of the various committees as a call to service. They should let us continue to work harmoniously,” he pleaded.

Adeyeye continued: “These committees, as I have learnt, are also subject to review before the end of the four-year term. If you have 69 committees, there is no way in which about seven people who want to be chairman of a particular committee could get it. Only one person would be appointed.”

“Therefore, if you don’t have that opportunity, please in whatever committee you have been placed as chairman, see it as a service to the nation so that Nigeria can benefit immensely from your experience and commitment.” He further noted: “ The senate president has done everything possible to keep the chamber together. There won’t be any form of rancour either now or when we resume on the issue.”