State Of The Nation: Minority Caucus Replies Reps Spokesperson

… Demands apology, threatens to petition Ethics and Privileges Committee

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has raised   grave concern with the statement credited to the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, in which he purported to speak for the “House” in response to the legitimate concerns raised by the Minority Caucus on the state of insecurity and worsening hardship in the nation.

The Minority Caucus said it is the constitutional duty of Parliament to hold the Executive to account, emphasizing that the current President, while in opposition, rightly declared that _“the buck stops at the President’s table.” That constitutional position has not changed.  Thus, the legislature must never look away when the country bleeds.

The Caucus made the admonition in a statement signed by its spokesman, Afam Victor Ogene, saying it’s the duty of the federal government to ensure that it fulfill all the promises made to Nigerians.

According to the lawmakers,  the Executive has repeatedly failed to honour commitments made to the Nigerian people through the Parliament. But rather than demand accountability, the House Spokesman has chosen to defend the indefensible.

The Caucus declares, unequivocally, that Parliament is not, and will never be, a lapdog of the Executive.

“We will keep speaking for Nigerians, even if the Majority Caucus elects to capitulate at the altar of blind partisanship, shredding the sacred doctrine of checks and balances, upon which democracy either bleeds or thrives,” the Caucus said.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Minority Caucus states as follows: