Reps reject representatives of service chiefs, insist on physical appearance

The House of Representatives on Thursday turned back representatives of the Service Chiefs, insisting that the chiefs must appear before it on November 21 as summoned.

The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, disclosed this after receiving the representatives of the chiefs at plenary.

Abbas, who applauded the representatives for appearing in the chamber, also urged them to convey the message to the Service Chiefs for them to appear before it on November 21 at 11 am.

Recall that the House of Representatives had summoned the Service Chiefs to appear before it for a debate on the security challenges in Nigeria.

However, the lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction that the Service Chiefs did not appear themselves but opted to send representatives in their stead.

But speaking on the development at the plenary, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, said the constitution empowered the House to invite anybody, not only for the purpose of investigation but also for dialogue.

Kalu said, “It’s not satisfactory that they’re not here in person.

“I want to move that these sectoral engagements be suspended until the Service Chiefs come to address us personally,” he added.



FI