* Lauds Speaker’s defence of Tinubu’s CoS
The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has described Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff (CoS) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as an institutional legacy of the National Assembly, saying the parliament will go all out to defend his integrity anytime.
Agbese was apparently speaking on the sidelines of the comments in some sections casting aspersions on the world press conference organised by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas last week, wherein he addressed the state of the nation’s insecurity, economy, hardship and the workings of the 10th House.
Abbas also addressed the incessant media attacks on the former Speaker, Gbajabiamila, and the endless allegations against him, advising those using social media instruments to attack him to cease forthwith, for the sake of his integrity and the sanctity of the institution of National Assembly; the comments which were viewed in some sections as defending the executive.
Speaking to journalists in his office, shortly after plenary Wednesday, the deputy spokesperson affirmed that what the Speaker said during the world press conference was the collective opinion of the members of the House.
“The Speaker was right and he has the backing of the entire parliament to do what he did,” said Agbese, adding that: “Nigerians have long understood the personality of the Hon. Speaker as an advocate of the masses.”
He said the parliament is an institution and “all over the world, parliament is respected for its creations, antecedents and impacts on the society”.
Agbese further hinted that no “element” would be allowed to rubbish the image of citizens who have sacrificed their all for the good of the country.
“Those who hate Gbajabiamila should have a rethink. We all don’t have to like Femi. No. Everybody cannot like him. But we will not allow vested interests to sacrifice Femi’s integrity,” he added.
Agbese further advised those making efforts to rubbish the former speaker’s integrity to back off, stressing that: “That man has built a reputation and this cannot be sacrificed on the altar of mediocrity and frivolities.
“People who served our country for many years and refused to steal or become wealthy from the public coffers should at least be respected and celebrated.
“Gbajabiamila spent over 20 years in the National Assembly where he served in various leadership capacities, as Minority Whip, Minority Leader, House Leader and eventually Speaker of the 9th House.
“I’m sure if his integrity was in question, the totality of the House, numbering 360 Representatives of the entire Nigerians, would not have entrusted him with much leadership responsibilities every other dispensations.
“That was all the Hon. Speaker tried to say in his speech at that press conference and the entire House is in agreement with Hon. Tajudeen Abass, in defending the sanctity of the institution of the National Assembly, which is the only beacon of democracy in Nigeria.
“I said so because during the military regimes, the executive and judiciary were functioning as arms of government, it was only the National Assembly that was muted. So, the institution of National Assembly is sacred and should not be toyed with. That is the only reason we can comfortably say we are practising democracy.”
