The House of Representatives has dismissed speculations of division within its ranks, stressed that it remained united under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abbas Tajudeen.
This followed a report by Leadership Newspapers alleging an impending “showdown” within the Green Chamber based on comments attributed to informal WhatsApp conversations among members.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., the House maintained that such remarks cannot be misconstrued as official caucus or House positions, noting that parliamentary procedures remain the only legitimate channel for resolutions or decisions.
“It is to the Speaker’s credit that, despite the diversity of 360 Members across political, ethnic, and religious lines, the 10th Assembly has remained united, reaching common positions through consensus building,” Rotimi stated.
On concerns over delayed contractor payments for constituency projects, the House clarified that the challenge is national and not peculiar to lawmakers’ projects. It noted that the Leadership, through the Appropriations Committees, has been engaging the Honourable Minister of Finance, with payments already underway and assurances that all 2024 obligations will be cleared.
The statement also addressed controversies around the ongoing recruitment into the National Assembly bureaucracy, explaining that the process is solely under the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), an independent statutory body. Nonetheless, the Speaker has directed the House Committee on Public Service Matters to investigate the exercise to ensure fairness, inclusiveness, and merit.
The House further dismissed claims of unequal distribution of development projects, describing them as “false, divisive, and unhelpful.” It emphasized its commitment to equity, justice, and fairness while encouraging members to continue prioritising issues affecting their constituencies in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The House is expected to reconvene on September 23, 2025, with renewed commitment to national priorities, transparency, and inclusiveness.
