Modupe Gbadeyanka
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The House of Representatives has denied media reports that it apologised to President Muhammadu Buhari for summoning him over insecurity in the country.
It was reported that the lower chamber of the National Assembly secretly apologised to the presidency for embarrassing him by asking him to explain steps he was taking to address the worsening security situation in the country.
Shortly after more than 40 rice farmers were killed in Borno State on their farms by Boko Haram terrorists, some members of the green chamber moved a motion to invite Mr Buhari to the parliament to brief them on why the nation was unsafe to many.
Speaker of the House, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila had visited the President at the Villa to inform him of the invitation and he assured the nation that Mr Buhari was also worried about the state of the country and was willing to honour the invitation.
However, he later changed his mind and it was speculated that this was because lawmakers of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had called for the impeachment of the President.
It was rumoured that if the President appears before the lower chamber of the National Assembly, he will be booed and embarrassed by the opposition members of the parliament.
A few hours ago, it was reported that the House of Representatives has begged the President for the summoning.
But the spokesman of the green chamber, Mr Benjamin Kalu, said no apology was tendered to the President or the presidency for carrying out its constitutional duties.
“It has come to the knowledge of the House that few sections of the media reported that the House apologised to the Presidency over the resolution of the House which arose from the motion sponsored by members from Borno State, requesting for the invitation of the President to brief the nation on the state of insecurity in the country.
“The President or the Presidency as the case may be, never sought for an apology from the House of Representatives for carrying out her constitutional responsibility to the Nigerian electorate. Where then did the media get the report that the House as an institution apologised to anyone? Media professionals are advised to uphold the ethics of their profession.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the House never apologised to anyone for exercising her constitutional mandate and the 9th Assembly of the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila will not do anything to desecrate or destroy the critical institution of democracy – the legislature. We strongly believe that President Muhammadu Buhari subscribes to this democratic ethos and ideals as well,” Mr Kalu said.
