Minister unhappy with Reps over no confidence vote

chika ebuzor

March 1, 2018 11:03 PM

Fayemi also said that the House of Reps members lack tolerance and moderation, describing their action as draconian.

The minister of mines and steel development, Kayode Fayemi has expressed his displeasure over the vote of no confidence passed on him by the House of Representatives.

The lawmakers took the actionfollowing Fayemi’s alleged refusal to attend a debate on the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

Speaking on the incident, the minister’s spokesman, Olayinka Oyebode said that the minister informed the lawmakers that he will be absent.

Oyebode also said “The attention of the minister of mines and steel development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and the minister of state for mines and steel development, Hon Abubakar Bawa Bwari, has been drawn to the ‘vote of no confidence’ reportedly passed on them by members of the house of representatives following their inability to attend the house’s sectoral debate on iron and steel sector on Thursday, March 1, 2018,” the statement read.

“While the offices of the two ministers have been inundated with countless media enquiries regarding their absence shortly after the pronouncement, it is important to state unequivocally that the inability of the two ministers to attend the debate was duly communicated to the leadership of the house in two separate letters.

“One then wonders why the house members took such a draconian stance against the two ministers who have very cordial relationships with the national assembly.

“It is rather unfair for the house members to categorise the ministers absence as “boycott”, when they were adequately notified.”

ALSO READ:The moment Reps passed vote of no confidence on Fayemi

“After all, the Ministers are always willing to engage the honourable House and its leadership at all times. It is on record that Minister Fayemi was the first minister to address the sectoral debate in 2016 and the Ajaokuta Steel Complex was extensively addressed on that occasion.

“Subsequently, the house committees on privatisation and public petitions held special sessions on Ajaokuta and the Minister of State, Hon Bawa Bwari addressed the members on those two occasions.

“Given this past record, today’s action is most unwarranted and unfortunate," he added.

Fayemi banned from public office for 10 years

The Ekiti State Executive Council has barred Minister of Mines and Steel Development,Dr Kayode Fayemifrom public office for 10years.

According to a report by Vanguard, Fayemi, an ex-governor of the state was barred from public office alongside his Finance Commissioner, Dapo Kolawole.

chika ebuzor