Former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Dewan, has denied any involvement in the controversial pension bill currently generating public debate in the state, insisting that his name was included as a co-sponsor without his knowledge or consent.
Dewan said he was neither present during the plenary where the bill was reportedly presented nor aware beforehand that such legislation was scheduled for consideration by the Assembly.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the former Speaker said he did not attend any meeting where the bill was conceived, drafted or discussed and therefore made no contribution to its contents.
According to him, although parliamentary practice allows a lawmaker sponsoring a bill to list colleagues as co-sponsors, those named are expected to be consulted, given copies of the proposed legislation and afforded the opportunity to review and make contributions before their names are attached to it.
He alleged that none of those procedures was followed in his case.
Dewan consequently rejected claims linking him to the proposed pension bill, maintaining that his name was used without his knowledge, approval or authorisation.
He challenged anyone alleging that he sponsored the bill to produce evidence showing the specific provisions he contributed to, the date and venue of any meeting where he participated in drafting or discussing the legislation, as well as proof that he was present in the House on the day it was presented.
He argued that if such evidence could not be produced, fairness and justice required that his name be immediately dissociated from the bill.
The former Speaker reaffirmed his commitment to responsible lawmaking, stating that throughout his political career he had supported only legislation that served the public interest.
He added that he would never associate himself with any bill without proper consultation, careful scrutiny and a firm conviction that it was in the best interest of the people, stressing that he would continue to defend his integrity through all lawful means available.