The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has demanded a public apology from the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs over what it described as the misrepresentation of the position of the House on issues of insecurity and economic hardship in the country.
The caucus, in a statement signed by Hon. Afam Victor Ogene on behalf of the opposition lawmakers, accused the House spokesman of improperly claiming to speak for the entire House in response to concerns earlier raised by the Minority Caucus over the worsening security and economic situation in Nigeria.
The lawmakers insisted that Parliament has a constitutional duty to hold the Executive accountable and must not remain silent while Nigerians continue to suffer.
According to the caucus, the use of the phrase “House Notes” in the spokesman’s statement was misleading and procedurally defective, as no sitting or resolution of the House had been held to adopt a collective position on the matter.
“The legislature is not, and will never be, a lapdog of the Executive. We will continue to speak for Nigerians, even if the Majority Caucus chooses blind partisanship over its constitutional responsibilities,” the statement read.
The Minority Caucus further argued that the House spokesman lacked the mandate to speak on behalf of the entire House or appropriate the views of opposition lawmakers, describing the action as a violation of parliamentary procedure and the privileges of members.
The caucus also expressed concern that the development reinforces public perception that the 10th House of Representatives has become an appendage of the Executive.
At an emergency virtual meeting held on Friday, June 19, the caucus resolved to demand a public apology from the House spokesman within 72 hours, failing which it would petition the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges for redress.
The lawmakers also vowed to raise, upon resumption of plenary, the issue of persistent non-implementation of the national budget since 2024, noting with alarm that defence and security-related Ministries, Departments and Agencies have reportedly recorded less than 30 per cent budget implementation.
According to the caucus, the poor release of funds has adversely affected military operations, delayed payments to contractors and contributed to the worsening insecurity in the country.
Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus has appointed Hon. Afam Victor Ogene as its new spokesperson.
The appointment was announced in a separate statement signed by the Minority Leader, Hon. Fredrick Agbedi, following an online meeting of the caucus on Friday.
Ogene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State and serves as the leader of the Nigeria Democratic Party caucus in the House, was described as a ranking legislator, accomplished journalist and seasoned parliamentarian.
The caucus expressed confidence that his appointment would strengthen its communication with Nigerians and reinforce its constitutional role of holding the Executive accountable.
It also called on members of the media and the public to cooperate with the new spokesman as he assumes responsibility for articulating the positions of the opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives.
