The Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Toby Okechukwu, has faulted the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami on the powers of the National Assembly to Summon the President, saying the AGF was only airing the position of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
The AGF had in a statement on Monday maintained that the House of Representatives resolution inviting President Muhammadu Buhari to interface with it on the rising insecurity in the country was “outside constitutional bounds”.
The House Deputy Minority Leader described the invitation as a prudent effort on the part of the Legislature to find a lasting solution to the worsening insecurity situation in the country, adding that the President’s willingness to appear was evident in his interaction with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Toby explained that without making undue efforts to win an argument, Section 89 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended clearly empowers the Senate or the House of Representatives or a committee appointed in accordance with Section 62 of the Constitution to procure evidence, written or oral and to ‘summon any person in Nigeria to give evidence at any place.
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He said the attempt to pressurise President Buhari not to appear clearly shows that some highly placed political actors in the ruling party are placing politics over the protection of lives of Nigerians.
Okecukwu further explained that the APC is evidently fiddling with propaganda and politics “while Nigeria burns”
He described as unfortunate a situation where every invitation by a branch of government to another branch to interact towards addressing any national challenges is considered as demeaning, thereby triggering unnecessary flexing of muscles.
The House Deputy Minority Leader stressed that it is evident from APC’s position as made public by the AGF that the safety of Nigerian citizens would take a back sit in the next few days, while the argument over who is right or wrong unfortunately takes the front seat.
He called on President Buhari to rise above the jargon and political fray to show leadership in order to rally the Nigerian people and their parliament to find lasting solutions to the growing insecurity in the country.
(Editor: Abaje Usekwe)
