Gbajabiamila reveals why Reps suspended consideration of Buhari’s $22.7 billion loan request 

The Speaker of the House Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has stated the lower legislative suspended consideration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s $22.7 billion loan request due to the exclusion of south-east.

The Speaker made this known while hosting leaders of Faith Forum from the South-South and South-East regions in Abuja on Wednesday.

Recall that the Senate recently approved the president’s loan request, but the development has been greeted with controversies over exclusion of south-east from the proposed loan.

Commenting on the issue, Gbajabiamila said considering the significance attached to the loan request, the Reps expected the president to have captured all regions of the country as its intended beneficiaries.

He noted such concerns informed suspension of the issue during plenary session, when it was raised for debate.

His words: “If government believes that there’s need for the loan, I think we should support that, because they know as they’re the ones that see what is needed and what is not needed.

“What I think for me is more important is the equity of the law and whether or not we’re able to distribute these things fairly considering the very nature of the structure of our country.

“I know there has been a lot of agitation about the south-east not benefiting from the loan. It is one of the reasons we haven’t considered the loan in the house. I’ve discussed with the finance minister and the DG budget (office).

“It’s a matter that we’re looking at seriously. I’m hoping that there will be some kind of amicable resolution so that everybody will be carried along. Equity suggests that all zones must be carried along.”

Gbajabiamila went on assure Nigerians that the green chamber would work towards ensuring the country’s geographical configuration is reflected in the spending plan to further sustain the country’s unity.