Reps Deny Rift Between Speaker, Deputy, Bribery Allegations
The Nigerian House of Representatives has refuted claims of a rift between Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, as well as allegations of bribery for committee placements.
In a statement, House Spokesperson Rep Akin Rotimi emphasized that the dissolution of the Joint Adhoc Committee on Midstream and Downstream Petroleum was in line with the 1999 constitution and House standing rules.
He said that the leadership’s decision aimed to ensure an effective and independent investigation, exercising its right to disband committees as needed.
Rotimi stressed that committee chairmen were appointed through a diligent process by the Selection Committee, with no inducements involved.
The House also denied any rift between the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, describing their relationship as “robust and cordial.” The public was urged to disregard speculations and verify facts through appropriate channels before publishing stories.
“That the action taken by the House to dissolve the Ad Hoc Committee on Oil and Gas Investigation did not contravene any rule of the House or any law of the land;
“That at no time did the House leadership or anybody for that matter received inducement for the appointment of any committee chairman. It was an assignment diligently executed by the Selection Committee of the House between June and July 2023, which has a member from each of the states of the federation;
“That there is no rift whatsoever between the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker regarding this or any matter; the duo enjoys a robust and cordial relationship. The two Presiding Officers also have mutual respect for each other, and will not allow anything to come between them.
“The public should therefore disregard the speculations making the round in some sections of the media”.
The House therefore, implored Journalists to always verify their facts and crosscheck with the appropriate quarters before going to the press, “with information that are nothing but falsehoods dished out as stories”.
The House, while reiterating cordial relationship between the two Presiding Officers and peace amongst Members; stressed that it operates open door policy and remains open to the Nigerian public and the media regarding its activities.
