‘It’s draconian’ — Fayemi kicks against no-confidence vote

Kayode Fayemi, minister of mines and steel development, has reacted to the vote of no confidence which the house of representatives passed on him.racon

The lawmakers took the action following the absence of Fayemi and Abubakar Bwari, minister of state for mines and steel, to honour an invitation on a sectoral debate on the Ajaokuta Steel Complex.

But in a statement by Olayinka Oyebode, the minister’s media aide, Fayemi said the lawmakers were “duly” notified of his absence.

“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.”

The minister said the house of reps members “lack tolerance and moderation” which are “essential ingredients in public service engagement”

“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.”