The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to appear before the lower chamber of National Assembly to address Nigerians on the country’s security challenges.
Gbajabiamila revealed this on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while fielding questions from State House reporters after leading a delegation of its leadership for a meeting with President Buhari.
The speaker said they came to meet the president on developments in the country after Tuesday’s resolution of the House which asked him to appear before the members to address the current situation.
Date Agreed
The speaker, who recalled that the lawmakers did not fix a date for the president to appear, said a date has now been agreed.
He, however, refused to disclose the date but said that it would hold “in the near future.”
Gbajabiamila, who said the legislators spoke to the President on burning issues, added that he was willing to listen “as is typical of Mr President, the usual democrat that he is.”
He said: “And what we basically sought is to convey the resolution of the House and to fix a date, which we did not fix out of respect for Mr President and his very tight schedule, what date will be convenient. We have agreed on a date and he will meet with the House to address the situation.”
The speaker, who promised to communicate the date to the media, added: “He’s is a perfect democrat. He will come and address the House in the nearest future.”
Gbajabiamila, who said President Buhari was more concerned about the current situation in the country, assured that he was committed to the security of lives and property of Nigerians.
He said the motive behind the summon to the President is to enable him to come and talk to Nigerians through their elected representatives.
When asked about how the president felt in the midst of the security challenges, said: “I think he is more concerned than me and you. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.
“We will leave everything until when he comes to the House. Let me not pre-empt him. All I can tell you for now is that he is fully committed to the security of lives and property of Nigerians.”
Gbajabiamila, while speaking on what the President was coming to do in the House, said: “He is coming to talk to Nigerians through the House. You know that the House, as is constituted, every Nigerian is present in the House. Every constituency in this country is represented in the House.
“So, when Mr President is talking to the House, he is talking to Nigerians through their representatives.”