Reps back Speaker amid report of planned protest by aggrieved members

Members of the House of Representatives on Sunday expressed solidarity with Speaker Abbas Tajudeen amidst report on the planned protest by some aggrieved lawmakers over poor funding of Constituency projects and lopsided recruitment of 785 staff by National Assembly Service Commission (NASC).

According to the report, “the fuming members of the House took their anger about the recruitment of the new staff to the House’s WhatsApp platform, asking why and how the recruitment was made without their input.

“Some of them said the Speaker had taken them for a ride because of their loyalty and have concluded to confront him when the House resumes on September 23.

“The lawmakers are also troubled that their inability to attract meaningful projects to their constituencies could prevent them from re-election in 2027.”

But in a swift reaction to the report, Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Akin Rotimi pledged Members’ support via a statement titled: ‘House of Representatives remains solidly behind Speaker Abbas, committed to national development and constituency representation’, made available to Parliamentary Correspondents.

The House Spokesman who dismissed the report on the alleged “showdown” against the Speaker, argued that the informal conversation from the House WhatsApp does not represent of any House Caucus or the Lower Chamber.

He said: “The attention of the House of Representatives has been drawn to a report published by Leadership Newspapers on August 30, 2025, which elevates isolated remarks and informal conversations from House WhatsApp groups as if they represent the official position of any House caucus or the House itself.

“Contrary to insinuations of an impending “showdown,” the House remains united under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, Speaker of the House. With 360 members from every part of Nigeria, across diverse political, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, the House reflects the nation’s full heterogeneity.

“Honourable Members are free to express opinions in both formal and informal settings on matters affecting their constituencies and privileges.

“However, such expressions when reported, especially when not balanced by differing viewpoints, do not constitute resolutions or positions of any caucus.

“The House operates according to established parliamentary procedures, through which caucus leaders, committees, or individual Members may formally table issues for the leadership or, where necessary, for debate and resolution by the entire chamber. Informal conversations are normal in a vibrant democracy but cannot represent official positions.

“It is to the Speaker’s credit that, despite this diversity, the 10th Assembly has remained united, reaching common positions on national issues through consensus building and allowing every Member a voice.

“The House remains focused on preparing for resumption on September 23, 2025, with renewed commitment to national priorities.”

Rep. Rotimi maintained that: “some issues referenced in the report conflate genuine concerns with sensationalism. Delayed contractor payments are a national challenge and not peculiar to the constituency projects nominated by Honourable Members.

“For many weeks, the House Leadership, through the Appropriations Committees, has engaged the Honourable Minister of Finance. Payments have commenced and the Leadership is committed to ensuring all outstanding 2024 obligations are settled expeditiously.

“Honourable Members face pressure from constituents expecting nominated projects to be implemented in line with participatory development.

“The Leadership stresses that, in accordance with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, constituency projects are essential for extending government presence nationwide.

“While these agitations are valid, they must be understood within current fiscal realities and not misrepresented.”

On the issue of recruitment into the National Assembly bureaucracy, the House Spokesman explained that National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), as a statutory and independent body has the sole responsibility on the subject matter.

According to him, the House Leadership neither conducted nor controlled the exercise.

“The process follows principles of Federal Character, inclusiveness, and merit, ensuring fair representation of Nigerians across states and geopolitical zones.

“However, in line with its oversight mandate, the Speaker has directed the House Committee on Public Service Matters, which oversees the National Assembly Commission, to conduct a thorough investigation of the recruitment exercise and report back to the House.

“Suggestions that development is “unfairly concentrated” in any one region are false, divisive, and unhelpful. The House operates on principles of equity, justice, and fairness. Internal disagreements are addressed through established parliamentary mechanisms, not speculative newspaper reports.

“While the report is largely misleading, it highlights the tone and focus of conversations among Members who continue to prioritise and advocate on issues directly affecting citizens and constituencies, including project implementation, equitable employment opportunities, and the security of lives and property.

“The House Leadership remains steadfast in upholding transparency, inclusiveness, and fairness in its constitutional mandate of lawmaking, oversight, and representation. Members are urged to support this process in the collective interest of the institution and the nation.”

 

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