The House of Representatives on Thursday sent back representatives of the Service Chiefs and the Inspector General of Police who appeared before the House on behalf of their principals.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa; Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun failed to honour the invitation to appear before the House of Representatives as part of the ongoing sectorial debates in the Green Chamber, Pursuant to Order 17, Rules 1(3) of the Standing Orders of the House.
The representatives of the security chiefs were ushered into the Chamber after a motion by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) which was seconded by Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP, Kano).
But after the self introduction by the representatives of the service chiefs and the IGP, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, objected, saying that although the representatives were competent in their capacities, they would be allowed to speak on behalf of their principals.
“I therefore move that this sectoral engagement be suspended until the leaders of the agencies that we invited who are our friends, who are working for Nigeria, people we are proud of, come. They should come to address us, take our questions and explain certain things to us.”
After the Deputy Speaker’s motion which was seconded by Nnolim Nnaji, the Speaker, Abbas Tajuddeen, put the motion to a voice vote and was adopted by the House.
He said, “Our dear brothers, you have heard from the House in an emphatic manner, that this House does not encourage, does not accept representation particularly at this high-level engagement.
“We thank you for coming. Please convey our message to your service chiefs, that we understand the tight schedules they have and we are willing to make an adjustment to reschedule this engagement to Tuesday next week for them to appear in persons.”
Be the first to comment