Plenary at the House of Representatives lasted less than 20 minutes on Wednesday as members mourn former President Shehu Shagari and the lawmaker representing Ibeju-Lekki Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Mr Abayomi Ayeola.

Shagari died on December 27, 2018, while Ayeola died on December 30, 2018.

The Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, after saying the opening prayers, read separate letters to the House announcing the deaths.

The letter on Shagari’s death was written by his son, Mr Aminu Shehu-Shagari, who is a member of the House; while the one on the Lagos lawmaker was signed by one Mr Tajudeen Oluyomi Ayeola.

Aminu, in his letter, noted that Shagari was a member of the federal parliament in the defunct First Republic, before becoming Nigeria’s first executive President in the Second Republic.

The Majority Leader, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, announced that condolence registers had been opened for the late Shagari and the late Ayeola. He urged members to sign them.

Dogara, thereafter, asked Christian and Muslim lawmakers to pray for the deceased.

The Speaker then announced that a valedictory session would be held for Shagari and Ayeola on Thursday, urging lawmakers to prepare their tributes to the ex-President and member.

Dogara called for adjournment of plenary to Tuesday and the session was closed at 11:41am. – Punch

– Jan. 16, 2019 @ 13:19 GMT |