Reps would sustain cordial relationship with Executive arm, says Agbese

The Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Philip Agbese has explained that it would be in the best interest of Nigerians if the lower legislative chamber sustain a cordial relationship with the Executive arm of government.

Speaking to reporters in Abuja, he faulted the notions held in certain quarters that the lower legislative chamber lacks the will power to check the excesses of the Executive arm.

Agbese maintained that the House would not shirk in its responsibility of making laws for the good governance in the country.

The lawmaker representing Ado/ Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency of Benue state explained that the recently held two days retreat themed: “Navigating Change: Legislative Strategies for Economic Transformation” held at the instance of Speaker Tajudeen Abass was aimed at achieving the objective.

Applauding the leadership style of Speaker Abbas, he stated that the retreat helped to strengthen members’ legislative and oversight capacity, as well as fostered collaboration towards economic development and tax reforms.

“Working with the executive should not be seen that we have surrendered our powers to the executive. And again, exercising our powers as contained in the constitution, we must also not be seen as confrontational. So this requires a lot of wisdom and it’s that wisdom that His Excellency, Rt. Hon Tajudeen Abass has deployed towards making sure that Nigerians are protected,” he said.

“The whole gamut of the retreat wasn’t just about the law. But again as parliamentarians, for us to have a full grasp of the issues so that if we go out to carry out our duties as parliamentarians, we would also have the best understanding of those issues.

“What Mr Speaker is doing is taking law-making from the hallowed chamber to the Nigerian people. You see that in events like that, we have critical stakeholders who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to attend plenaries make contributions. It was also a learning process. And that’s what you get when you make the right choice in electing who leads an institution like the parliament.”