…Questions calls for National Assembly to suspend ongoing recess

The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has questioned calls for the National Assembly to suspend its ongoing recess, warning lawmakers against allowing the parliament to be used to advance the interests of political actors ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Agbese acknowledged concerns raised by some lawmakers over pressing national issues, particularly insecurity and the non-payment of contractors handling constituency projects, but said the timing of the demand for lawmakers to return from recess was suspicious.

His position followed calls by a bipartisan group of lawmakers under the aegis of the Save Democracy Group for the House to cut short its recess and resume plenary amid what they described as worsening insecurity, economic hardship, poor budget implementation and other challenges confronting the country.

The group, comprising lawmakers from different political parties and regions, had raised concerns over what it described as the “nosediving” of Nigeria’s democracy, citing alleged constitutional breaches and opaque public expenditure, among other issues.

But Agbese urged his colleagues to exercise caution, particularly as the 2027 elections draw closer.

“One cannot say the highly respected lawmakers are wrong but the timing is suspicious,” he said.

According to him, lawmakers must guard against situations in which parliamentary activities are driven by interests outside the legislature.

“The 2027 elections are just by the corner and one must be careful not to be seen to be running errands for highly vested political interests outside the parliament,” Agbese said.

The lawmaker, however, said the concerns raised over the failure of the executive to pay contractors who had executed constituency projects were legitimate and should not be ignored or politicised.

He said the contractors had committed their resources to projects approved under the national budget and deserved to be paid.

“The executive have not done well on their promise to pay contractors who have used their resources to execute constituency projects for the lawmakers. It is wrong and no need to sugar coat it,” Agbese said.

He explained that the leadership of the National Assembly was already engaging the executive through parliamentary diplomacy to resolve the issue.

“But our leaders are using parliamentary diplomacy to engage the executive to do the needful,” he added.

Agbese further argued that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, having served as a parliamentarian, understood the importance of maintaining a productive relationship between the executive and legislature and ensuring that approved budgets were implemented.

“He is not just an experienced parliamentarian who has served the country in that regards, Mr. President understands the essence of good and harmonious working relationship with the parliament,” he said.

On the broader legislative agenda of the 10th House, Agbese rejected the perception that the National Assembly merely endorses proposals brought by the executive.

He said lawmakers had been working ahead of the executive on several people-oriented legislative initiatives, including state police.

According to him, the state police proposal had been under consideration by the National Assembly before the executive introduced its own bill.

“We have been on the state police bills for sometimes now. The initiative remains solely that of the Parliament,” he said.

Agbese explained that the executive’s decision to introduce its own bill provided an opportunity for both arms of government to harmonise their positions before the proposal is transmitted to the state Houses of Assembly.

He said the approach would prevent duplication and unnecessary expenditure.

Turning to insecurity, the Deputy Spokesman said the country was beginning to record positive results despite the persistence of security challenges.

He cited recent rescue operations involving kidnapped citizens in Oriire, Oyo State, Kwara State and other locations as indications that security agencies were making progress.

“We are beginning to record positive gains despite the numerous challenges that we are being faced with as a country,” he said.

Agbese commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, and other Service Chiefs for what he described as strategic coordination of military operations.

He also welcomed measures by the Federal Government to improve the welfare of military personnel, including salary increases and the renovation of military barracks.

The lawmaker also dismissed allegations that the leadership of the House takes critical decisions without the required quorum, describing the claim as untrue.

“Some persons said the leadership of the House doesn’t allow quorum before taking critical decisions. That is not true,” he said.

Agbese maintained that the House operates a transparent legislative process that meets international standards, while urging lawmakers to resolve disagreements through established parliamentary procedures rather than confrontation.

“I doubt if the parliamentarians who want to fight have any boxing experience. We can’t allow that,” he said.