Security Chiefs shun sectoral debate with House of Representatives

Security Chiefs in the country led by the Chief of Defence Staff on Thursday, November 16, shunned invitation from the House of Representatives to appear before it to engage in sectoral debate on issues of national importance.
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The House had scheduled to commence sectoral debate with issues of the security situation in the country on Thursday.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General. Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla and the Inspector General of Police, Kayide Egbetokun who invited for the debate all stayed away.

They, however, sent representations who were rejected by the House on the ground that they are supposed to appear in person because of the issues involved.

Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu who raised a point of constitutional order said section 88 and 89 of the constitution empowe the House to invite anybody to offer explanations on national issues.

According to him, when invited, such persons are supposed to honour such invitation by se ding their Chief Executives to the parliament, because the parliament is a grade one institution.

He said it has been the practice of the House over time not to accept representation from persons invited to brief parliament and answer questions from them.

He however moved a motion asking the House to suspend the sectoral debate with the security chiefs until such a time when their Chief Executives will appear that brief the House has answer their questions.

The position of the Deputy Speaker was unanimously supported by members who voted to suspend the debate.

Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen asked the delegation to report back to their principals that the House will not take representation, while rescheduling ty debate with the Security Chiefs for Tuesday, November 21, 2023.

The suspension of the debate however brought the day’s plenary to an end as all other business if the House had earlier been suspended to make way for a robust engagement with the Security Chiefs.




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