Lawmaker warns against outside influence in National Assembly ahead of elections

The deputy spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese (LP, Benue), has warned lawmakers not to let the National Assembly be used by outside political forces as the 2027 general elections approach.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mr Agbese said lawmakers have real concerns about the state of the nation, especially issues like insecurity and constituency projects. He urged them to be cautious about the reasons and timing of actions taken in parliament as elections get closer.

His remarks came after some lawmakers called for the National Assembly to end its recess and return to work on what they called urgent national issues.

A group called the Save Democracy Group recently expressed worries about Nigeria’s democracy, which they said is “nosediving.” They mentioned issues like alleged constitutional violations, poor budget execution, lack of transparency in public spending, economic struggles, and increasing insecurity.

The group, made up of lawmakers from various parties and regions, released their statement in Abuja on August 5.

While acknowledging the concerns of his colleagues, Mr Agbese pointed out that the timing of the call to suspend the recess is questionable. "One cannot say the highly respected lawmakers are wrong, but the timing is suspicious," he said.

He stressed that with the 2027 elections coming up, parliament members need to be careful about their actions. They should ensure the legislature does not get dragged into political conflicts driven by outside interests. "The 2027 elections are just around the corner, and one must be careful not to be seen to be running errands for highly vested political interests outside the parliament," he said.

Mr Agbese encouraged lawmakers to make sure their actions serve the national interest, not the political goals of individuals or groups trying to influence the 2027 elections.

He also dismissed views that the 10th National Assembly only approves bills from the executive. He said the legislature has initiated many actions to tackle the problems facing Nigerians. He argued that if the executive brings similar proposals, it doesn’t mean parliament is just following orders.

"The idea is that, contrary to the insinuation being created in some quarters that we pass every bill and motion from the executive, I want to clear the air that we are working ahead of the executive on bills that have a positive impact on the generality of people," he said.

He pointed out that the proposed establishment of state police is an example, saying the National Assembly has been working on this before the executive introduced its own plan. "We have been on the state police bills for some time now. The initiative remains solely that of the Parliament," he stated.

Recently, President Bola Tinubu’s administration introduced a bill to create a constitutional framework for state police. Mr Agbese said this should allow both branches of government to come together and create a better proposal before it goes to the state Houses of Assembly.

"What the executive has done so far by introducing an executive bill is to come in at the right time for both arms of government to have a refined document at the centre before sending the same proposal to the State Houses of Assembly," he said.

He added, "It is just to ensure that we don’t waste taxpayers’ ₦ resources unnecessarily by going back and forth."

On the issue of unpaid contractors for constituency projects, Mr Agbese admitted that the federal government has not kept its promise to pay those who worked on projects for lawmakers. He said this matter should not be ignored, no matter the political circumstances.

"The executive has 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 sugarcoat it," he said.

He mentioned that the National Assembly's leadership is talking with the executive to sort this out, rather than letting it become a source of conflict.

Mr Agbese referenced President Tinubu’s background as a former lawmaker, saying the president knows how important it is to maintain a good relationship between the executive and the legislature. He said Mr Tinubu understands the need for approved budgets to be implemented.

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

Regarding insecurity, Mr Agbese noted that Nigeria is seeing some progress despite ongoing attacks and security issues. He highlighted the rescue of kidnapped people in places like Oriire, Oyo State, and Kwara State as proof of improvements in the work of security agencies.

"We are beginning to record positive gains despite the numerous challenges that we are being faced with as a country," he said. He praised Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, and other military leaders for their strategic approach.

Mr Agbese said the experience of military leaders is vital for tackling insecurity. He also commended the federal government for efforts to improve the welfare of military personnel, mentioning the recent salary increases and renovations of military barracks.

He rejected claims that the House leadership often makes significant decisions without a quorum. "Some people said the House leadership doesn’t allow a quorum before making critical decisions. That is not true," he said.

He insisted that legislative proceedings in the House follow established rules and operate in a transparent manner. "We run a transparent legislative process that is of international standard," he added.

Mr Agbese also encouraged members who disagree with House decisions to use the proper parliamentary channels instead of fighting. "I doubt if the parliamentarians who want to fight have any boxing experience. We can’t allow that," he said.