House Of Reps. Denies Apologising To Nigerian President Over Summon

Spokesman for the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu
(APC-Abia) said on Monday that the House was unperturbed about the
failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to appear before it over
security matters.

He said in a statement issued in Abuja that it was, therefore,
untrue that the House apologised to the president for inviting him,
in the first instance.

Kalu advised the media to uphold the ethics of journalism
practice and not misconstrue events or developments.

“The president or the Presidency as the case may be, never
sought for an apology from the House of Representatives for
carrying out her Constitutional responsibility to the Nigerian
electorate.

“Where then did the media get the report that the House, as an
institution, apologised to anyone?

“For the avoidance of doubt, the House never apologised to
anyone for exercising its Constitutional mandate and the 9th
Assembly of the House of Representatives will not do anything to
desecrate or destroy the critical institution of democracy – the
Legislature.

“We strongly believe that President Muhammadu Buhari subscribes
to these democratic ethos and ideals as well,” he said.

The spokesman said that the motion to invite the president over
security matters was sponsored by representatives from Borno on
behalf of the people.

The House had earlier invited the president to appear and brief
lawmakers on the state of security following the murder of some 43
rice farmers in Borno in November.

Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, after a meeting
with the president, told newsmen that Buhari accepted the
invitation and agreed to appear.

Other developments, however, made it impossible for the
president to attend the meeting with the lawmakers. (NAN)

Spokesman for the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu
(APC-Abia) said on Monday that the House was unperturbed about the
failure of President Muhammadu Buhari to appear before it over
security matters.

He said in a statement issued in Abuja that it was, therefore,
untrue that the House apologised to the president for inviting him,
in the first instance.

Kalu advised the media to uphold the ethics of journalism
practice and not misconstrue events or developments.

“The president or the Presidency as the case may be, never
sought for an apology from the House of Representatives for
carrying out her Constitutional responsibility to the Nigerian
electorate.

“Where then did the media get the report that the House, as an
institution, apologised to anyone?

“For the avoidance of doubt, the House never apologised to
anyone for exercising its Constitutional mandate and the 9th
Assembly of the House of Representatives will not do anything to
desecrate or destroy the critical institution of democracy – the
Legislature.

“We strongly believe that President Muhammadu Buhari subscribes
to these democratic ethos and ideals as well,” he said.

The spokesman said that the motion to invite the president over
security matters was sponsored by representatives from Borno on
behalf of the people.

The House had earlier invited the president to appear and brief
lawmakers on the state of security following the murder of some 43
rice farmers in Borno in November.

Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, after a meeting
with the president, told newsmen that Buhari accepted the
invitation and agreed to appear.

Other developments, however, made it impossible for the
president to attend the meeting with the lawmakers. (NAN)