The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has said replacing Senator Ali Ndume as Senate majority whip conforms with standard parliamentary practice.
Speaking to newsmen yesterday, Agbese also said the 10th National Assembly is working with President Bola Tinubu to rebuild the trust of Nigerians, adding that the relationship between the President and parliament is strong, cordial and wonderful.
He described it as a working partnership and collaboration, which is reviewed on a routine basis to ensure that the needs of Nigerians are being addressed.
Reacting to Senator Ali Ndume’s recent comments, Agbese described that his demotion “as Majority Whip was a standard parliamentary practice worldwide.”
He added “Some persons don’t have the understanding of the parliament and the executive as two parallel lines of necessity.”
Agbese cautioned Ndume to “embrace the principles of teamwork and collaboration, rather than seeking to divide and distract the government from its laudable reforms.”
He also urged Ndume to “support the President and the National Assembly in their efforts to rebuild broken trust and deliver on their campaign promises to Nigerians.”
He further said “Members of the House of Representatives are carrying out their duties with the highest level of maturity, thanks to Mr. Speaker’s pro-Nigeria posture to leadership”.
Agbese said the House’s decision to cut their salaries by 50 per cent shows their solidarity with Nigerians and sacrifice to support the economic hardship and hunger in the nation.
He said this is born out of patriotism and the exceptional leadership of the House led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
“Mr President feels the pains of our constituents as if they all live in the house with him,” Agbese emphasised.
“This is evident in the recent reforms being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture to address hunger and food security in the country.
“Since the inception of this dispensation, the executive and legislature have collaborated seamlessly, passing several landmark bills and resolutions that have positively impacted the lives of Nigerians.
“These bills have addressed long-standing issues in diverse sectors and enhanced the nation’s economic growth.
“The 10th National Assembly has been instrumental in supporting the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and their collective efforts have yielded remarkable results.”
Agbese commended the 10th National Assembly for their dedication to the nation’s growth and development.
“The 10th National Assembly has demonstrated a high level of maturity and patriotism in their legislative duties,” he added.
“Their commitment to the nation’s progress is laudable, and we appreciate their support in our efforts to rebuild the trust and correct the failures of the past.
“The 10th National Assembly is working tirelessly to correct the failures of the past, including the inability of previous assemblies to pass critical legislation.
“We are committed to learning from the mistakes of the past and charting a new course for our nation’s growth and development.”
Agbese assured Nigerians that President Tinubu and the National Assembly will not fail the nation.
“We are committed to working together to address the challenges facing our country, and we will not be distracted by individual interests or personal agendas,” Agbese concluded.
“We appreciate the support and trust Nigerians have placed in us, and we will continue to work tirelessly to justify that trust.”
