Philip Agbese is the member representing Ado/Okpokwu and Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State. In this interview, he expresses optimism about the success of the 10th National Assembly leadership.
The 10th National Assembly is gradually settling down, but the question on the lips of most Nigerians is, what manner of parliament do we expect under the leadership of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas?
Rt Hon Abbas was overwhelmingly voted as the speaker on June 13, when the 10th National Assembly was inaugurated. He pulled 353 votes to defeat a former Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase, and a former Chairman of the House Committee on National Intelligence, Sani Jaji, who scored three votes each. Apart from the trio, others who aspired to lead the 10th Assembly include Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, Muktar Betara, Yusuf Gadgi, and Mariam Onouha. At the end, Abbas emerged as the speaker. What this means is that the 10th House is united. Nigerians should expect a well-coordinated, people-friendly, and united house focused on their interests.
The endorsement of Abbas by the ruling APC generated a furor in the house, with many arguing that it was an attempt by your party to weaken the Green Chamber. What can you say about this?
Let me make this clear to you, the leadership of Speaker Abbas is the best thing that has happened to the 10th National Assembly. As much as we under his watch are prepared to work in harmony with the executive arm, Abbas will not relent in upholding the principles of checks and balances. The collaboration of the 10th Assembly will be anchored on transparency, accountability, and respect for the rule of law. We shall work closely and interdependently with the executive and judiciary to give Nigerians the good governance they deserve. We stand at a crossroads in our nation’s history, where challenges abound, but so do opportunities. We will champion legislation that will uplift the lives of our fellow citizens, promote social Justice and drive sustainable development.
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Recall that critics dubbed the 9th National Assembly a rubber stamp because of its subservience to the executive. Don’t you think the 10th Assembly will fall in the same line?
The 10th National Assembly will never be a rubber stamp. Speaker Abbas will never be a rubber stamp. Before his election, he interacted with many people. For our party to endorse him is because he enjoys the support of members. Abbas is a man of his word, and he has promised not to disappoint Nigerians. He is not going to disappoint the 10th Assembly. He will never be a rubber stamp; rather he will do what will benefit Nigerians. I am sure he is going to be a man of his own. He is a man of integrity. He will stand with the masses.
What should Nigerians expect from the 10th Assembly?
Expectations are high; not only from Nigerians, but defenders of democratic principles and ethics across the globe. This is more so because the legislative arm of government has a crucial role to play in fostering the development of a people-oriented government. The 10th National Assembly is set to move the nation forward by making laws for the overall national interest. From inception, it was very clear that the assembly was the hub of representation of the Nigerian people, and so every effort will be channeled towards making the country a better place to live and prosper.
The good news is that Speaker Abbas possesses a great wealth of experience anchored on a commendable track record of achievements. He has appreciable public relations talent which he has deployed at national and international levels. He is an astute team player who has hit the ground running in many areas of Nigeria’s socio-economic growth.
The 10th Assembly will be a win-win for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with Nigerians and Nigeria as the main beneficiaries.
What will the 10th Assembly do differently to avoid the rubber stamp toga?
It is my candid opinion that the 10th Assembly which I am privileged to be part of will build on the legacies of the last assembly. We shall consolidate the achievements of the 9th Assembly in making democratic governance more beneficial to Nigeria and Nigerians. We will try our best to meet the legitimate expectations of the people, and relevant institutions of government must be made to function well.
I have always insisted that compared to previous assemblies, the achievements of the 9th Assembly in the area of law-making are attributable to harmonious executive-legislative relations.
