Budget-padding saga to wait as reps mourn lawmaker’s death

The house of representatives on Tuesday adjourned its sitting to Wednesday to mourn Adewale Elijah Oluwatayo, who died on July 20 — a day before the lower embarked on its annual recess.

The resumption was expected to be dominated by discussion on allegations of budget padding by Abdulmuminu Jibrin against Speaker Yakubu Dogara, but that will not happen until Wednesday at the earliest.

Before his demise, Oluwatayo represented Ifako/Ijaiye federal constituency of Lagos state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He was discovered dead in his bedroom by his workers when he failed to show up as usual and prepare for work.

According to the traditions of the lower chamber, the house adjourns its sitting to the next legislative day at the demise of any serving member, as a mark of respect.

Due to this, the house was forced to extend its resumption to Wednesday after a seven-week break.

On the floor of the house, Dogara informed his colleagues that Oluwatayo died at the age of 66.

“A serving member is involved and as the tradition of the house demands, we have to adjourn sitting till Wednesday to honour the deceased,” Dogara said.

Dogara also announced the death of three other former lawmakers — Muhammed Useni, Alex Eze and Etim Atakpa — who represented Makrafi federal constituency of Kaduna, Nsukka Igboeze federal constituency of Enugu and Esan federal constituency of Akwa, respectively, and served at different periods.