Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has credited opposition lawmakers’ support for President Bola Tinubu to the inclusive and people-centred leadership style of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
Agbese, a Labour Party lawmaker representing the Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency of Benue State, in a statement, reiterated his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
He said Abbas’s all-inclusive and non-discriminatory approach to managing the House had helped bridge political differences and foster cooperation among lawmakers, irrespective of party affiliation.
Agbese maintained that the Speaker had demonstrated that effective leadership is not about favouring members of the ruling party, but about ensuring that every lawmaker has a sense of belonging and an opportunity to contribute to the affairs of the legislature.
“In his firm belief in the ‘joint task project’ of the 10th Assembly, Speaker Abbas has ensured that members across all political parties are carried along in terms of chairmanships, deputy chairmanships and memberships of key House committees,” Agbese said.
“Even in the chairmanships and memberships of critical ad hoc committees of the House, you will observe that the Speaker has been very democratic and all-inclusive in carrying everyone along,” he added.
He noted that Abbas had sustained an atmosphere of consultation, mutual respect and accommodation, allowing members of different political parties to work together in pursuit of common national interests.
Agbese said the Speaker’s leadership had also helped shift attention from partisan divisions to issues affecting Nigerians, including economic development, security, infrastructure, employment and improved living conditions.
He noted that lawmakers, regardless of their political platforms, are first and foremost representatives of their constituencies and have a responsibility to support policies and programmes that can improve their constituents’ lives.
The Deputy Spokesperson maintained that the growing cooperation between opposition members and the President’s administration should therefore be understood within the context of the leadership environment created by Abbas, rather than merely as a product of party politics.
He said the Speaker’s ability to carry all members along had strengthened unity in the House and encouraged lawmakers to assess government policies on their merits and support initiatives considered beneficial to the country.
Agbese added that this approach was particularly important as political activities gathered momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that national development required cross-party collaboration.
He said the experience in the House demonstrated that political differences should not prevent elected representatives from working together in the country’s interest.
