By Tekena Amieyeofori
The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity and Justice has applauded the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, for blocking attempts by some opposition lawmakers to summon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appear before the House.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its Coordinator/Convener, Comrade James Okoronkwo, the group described the demand as political grandstanding rather than a genuine legislative oversight exercise.
“We categorically state that this demand is not driven by patriotism, but by a desperate desire for political grandstanding and media sensationalism,” the coalition said.
The coalition of CSOs argued that Nigeria’s governance structure already provides for ministers, service chiefs, and heads of agencies to brief the National Assembly on sector-specific matters.
“Governance is not a theater production,” the statement read. “Attempting to bypass this established institutional framework to summon the President directly is an act of legislative rascality designed to distract the presidency in the midst of several issues of national importance begging for attention.”
The group commended Speaker Abbas for demonstrating leadership in the green chamber.
“Speaker Abbas has once again demonstrated that he is a statesman committed to constructive executive-legislative harmony, rather than unnecessary institutional friction,” the coalition stated.
The coalition passed a vote of confidence in Speaker Abbas and the House leadership, and urged lawmakers to refrain from playing to the gallery while carrying out their constitutionally mandated oversight role.
It will be recalled that the House of Representatives was thrown into a rowdy session on Wednesday as lawmakers clashed over a motion seeking to summon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to explain the alleged non-funding of constituency projects.
The motion was sponsored by Hon. Alex Ikwechegh, member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency. He decried the poor funding of appropriated budgets and the persistent delays in the release of capital funds to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
The motion triggered a heated debate that sharply divided the House along party lines, heightening tension on the floor.
However, Speaker Abbas ruled out the aspect of the debate that called for summoning the President, insisting that “such an action is unparliamentary.”