Jibrin

Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday asked Abdulmumin Jibrin, ex chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation to stop making comments on  allegations of padding of the 2016 budget he had leveled against Speaker of House of Representatives,   Yakubu Dogara and three other principal officers of the lower chamber of National Assembly.

APC said the comments of the Jibrin are embarrassing to it as a political party and to the government.

The gag order was contained in a letter addressed to the lawmaker by APC deputy national chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu.

The party noted in the letter that “as you are aware, the party and, indeed, the government have not been happy over recent developments in the House of Representatives over the issue of the 2016 budget.”

It added that, “we found it embarrassing to have to deal with another new phenomenon you tagged ‘budget padding’.

“However, I write to thank you for your cooperation in honouring our intervention and your readiness to afford the party the chance to handle the House budget padding crisis.

“Arising from the series of meetings we held with you over the subject matter, the National Working Committee had decided to request you to henceforth avoid issuing public statement on this matter.

“This, however, includes statements through the social media or other means of transmitting an opinion on the matter to the public, as the party is now looking into it towards finding possible solution.”

Jibrin had on Tuesday met with members of APC National Working Committee behind claosed doors over different allegations of fraudulent dealings he had accused the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Honourable Yusuf Lasun; chief whip, Honourable Alhassan Doguwa and the minority leader, Honourable Leo Ogor of perpetrating in the 2016 budget.