Pulse.ng : Speaker Abbas on hot seat over choice between North, SLA Ogbeche

By Sani Idris

Arewa Awareness on Good Governance, a prominent advocacy group, has reiterated their call on Speaker House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, to sack Cecilia Ogbeche-Odok, his Senior Legislative Aide (SLA), citing her ineffectiveness, lack of policy-making skills, and unacceptable behavior.

The group's demand comes after Ogbeche responded to their constructive criticism with insults, labeling them "faceless" and reiterating her stance in support of suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu.

In a statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday, the spokesperson for Arewa Awareness on Good Governance, Germa Ibrahim Musa who said that their stance against Edu's reinstatement cannot be compromised for the benefit of Nigerians, said that Ogbeche demonstrated her inability to engage in constructive dialogue and policy-making, stressing that her decision to attack them instead of addressing their concerns is unacceptable.

Recalled that the group had earlier advised Ogbeche to focus on sponsoring meaningful bills rather than singing praises for Dr. Edu, appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to recall the suspended Minister.

The group on Monday, also gave Speaker Abbas a seven-day ultimatum to sack Ogbeche, warning that failure to do so would be seen as disrespect to the entire northern Nigeria.

"Cecilia Ogbeche-Odok's failure as a policy maker is unacceptable. Her loyalty to Dr. Betta Edu is misplaced and borders on sycophancy. We demand her immediate sack and replacement with a competent policy maker.

"Ogbeche's attack on northerners, calling us faceless is shameful and undermines the integrity of the Speaker's office. Her actions perpetuate division and betray the trust reposed in her.

"While we reiterates our call on Speaker Abbas to investigate Ogbeche's role in promoting divisiveness and hold her accountable, we equally want to make it clear that we have not changed our mind concerning Edu who has plunged this nation into serious untold hardship.

Remarkably, Ogbeche's continued presence in the Speaker's office is a liability to the House of Representatives.

"Ogbeche's ineptitude is staggering, and her arrogance knows no bounds. She is out of touch with reality and the needs of Nigerians and as such, we will not tolerate Ogbeche's continued presence in the Speaker's office. We demand decisive action from Speaker Abbas to restore credibility to his office." Part of the statement reads.