The House of Representatives on Tuesday put to rest rumours of a potential impeachment of Speaker Abbas Tajudeen on resumption from recess.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Rep. Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, confirmed that there are no plans to impeach the Speaker.
He stated that members are “firmly united” behind Tajudeen, and confidence in his leadership is “not negotiable and unwavering.”
Agbese’s comments were in response to a media report that suggested discontent over unpaid constituency projects could lead to a showdown against the Speaker.
The report claimed that lawmakers expressed their grievances on WhatsApp groups, alleging they were denied privileges, including exclusion from a recent National Assembly recruitment exercise and delays in payments to contractors for constituency projects.
The lawmakers were also said to have accused the leadership of sidelining them after discovering that 785 new staff had been recruited without their knowledge.
Agbese, however, who praised the Speaker’s leadership, fairness, and commitment to members’ welfare and constituency development, described the reports as “speculative” and a deliberate attempt to sow discord in the Green Chamber.
“The confidence of members in Rep. Abbas Tajudeen is not negotiable and unwavering. Since his emergence, Mr. Speaker has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership, fairness, and deep respect for colleagues across party lines.
“He has continued to carry members along in decision-making in line with the ‘People’s House’ mantra and has shown unmatched commitment to the welfare of members and development of their constituencies,” Agbese said.
Agbese described reports alleging grievances over staff recruitment as misinformation, clarifying that recruitment is handled by the National Assembly Service Commission, an independent body, and not by the Speaker.
The spokesperson announced that Tajudeen has constituted two special committees, one headed by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and the other by the former Deputy Speaker of the 9th House, Rep. Idris Wase, to look into the issues.
He said: “Abbas Tajudeen has done more than enough to stabilise the house. During our first year in office, he had to shed all the weight acquired from previous leadership to accommodate everyone. This means that he had to give up his statutory benefits for first-termer in terms of projects and resource allocation.
“He did not stop there. He decentralised some of the Committees to ensure not just wider oversight but to ensure many members occupy leadership positions.
“The Speaker is completely accessible and works round the clock on 24hrs basis. If he is not in the office, he is at his personal residence attending to members’ concerns individually and collectively.
“I remember a particular Christmas when I had to lead about 13 members to him because they were stranded and did not have rice to give to their constituents.
“These are my colleagues, and they would attest to the immediate result that we got. Suffice to add that he has done quite enough in being the primus inter pares at the same time being a loyal party man who wants Mr. President to succeed in all things.
“The parliament is not docile. You just cannot fight when there are no grievances. We are totally different from other arms of government and aside our rules of engagement, we also have our standing order that makes things smooth for easy results.”
He also said: “We have the history of the parliament and can testify to it that Tajudeen is the best so far. No one can match his records.
“For many of us in this Assembly, if the opportunity presents itself again, we will chose Abbas as Speaker and Benjamin Kalu as his Deputy again. He is the most supportive Speaker in every ramification. He works quietly for our collective interest at all times.
“Yes, admittedly there are challenges in some areas like the constituency projects which the executive has not done enough to fund. The leadership is not relenting at all to make sure these things are delivered.
“You know in this regards, it is not the members but the constituents. Mr. Speaker is feeling our pains and won’t sleep until something is done about it.”
Agbese further assured Nigerians that when the House reconvenes on September 23, it would focus squarely on national issues.
He urged the media to always verify facts before publication and to avoid reports that could undermine the cordial working relationship among members and between the legislature and the Nigerian people.
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