The House of Representatives has rejected an attempt by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila to take over the oversight responsibilities of the National Assembly.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the House said that Gbajabiamila’s move was an attempt to usurp the constitutional powers of the legislative arm of government.
The House stated that oversight is a critical function of the legislature, and that it would not allow any individual, including the Speaker, to compromise its ability to hold the executive arm accountable.
“We will not allow any attempt to whittle down our oversight powers,” the statement read. “The Speaker’s role is to preside over the House, not to take over the responsibilities of the committees.”
The development comes amidst reports of a power struggle between Gbajabiamila and some members of the House, who have accused him of trying to centralize power and stifle dissenting voices.
The House has vowed to resist any attempt to undermine its constitutional powers, and has called on Nigerians to support its efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in government.
This latest development highlights the ongoing tensions within the National Assembly, and raises concerns about the ability of the legislature to effectively perform its oversight role.
