Past lawmakers bullied, yelled at president – Rep Philip Agbese

Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Assembly, has commended the peaceful and harmonious atmosphere prevailing in the 10th House of Representatives, contrasting it with the tumultuous past where former presidents faced bullying and shouting during budget presentations.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Agbese emphasized the positive shift in the current Assembly under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

He highlighted the marked difference, praising Speaker Abbas for fostering a calm and cooperative environment, free from the internal conflicts and executive-legislative tensions that characterized previous Assemblies.

During a press interaction at the resumed plenary of the House, Hon. Agbese underscored the leadership qualities of Speaker Abbas, attributing the peace, unity, and tranquility in the House to his effective leadership. He acknowledged the harmonious relationship between the legislative and executive arms, as well as with the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Agbese, representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, lauded Speaker Abbas for steering the House away from unproductive crises, leading to a more efficient and focused legislative process. He particularly commended the maturity exhibited by Speaker Abbas in handling parliamentary affairs.

He explained, “There were times in this country when the President was bullied and yelled at when he appeared before a joint session of the National Assembly to present a budget estimate.

“It does not mean that the Parliament is rubber-stamped; it simply means the Lawmakers put the general interest of the people far above personal interests and both arms of government respect their boundaries in balancing their powers.”