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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Deputy Spokesperson of House of Representatives, Hon Philip Agbese, has criticised the lawmaker representing Gwaram Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, Yusuf Galambi, for making a “careless and unpatriotic” comment about the 2024 budget estimates presented by President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu had on Wednesday presented the N27.5 trillion 2024 budget estimates to a joint session of the National Assembly.
Galambi, a member of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) had during an interview with BBC Hausa Service, on Friday, accused Tinubu of presenting “empty boxes,” suggesting that the president was not ready for budget defence but only came out to deceive the populace.
The lawmaker, in the interview reproduced in English language, said Tinubu read out his budget speech, including proposals for sectors, but did not give the lawmakers the documents as was the tradition by previous presidents.
But fielding questions from journalists at the National Assembly complex on Saturday, Agbese ascribed Galambi’s comment to post election petition tribunal fatigue and lack of diligent attention during plenary.
“The House of Representatives has passed that stage long ago.
“The 10th National Assembly of the House of Representatives doesn’t entertain frivolities from the executive or members of the public,” he said.
Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, stated that, “the Committee on Appropriation has long ago distributed the details of the budget proposal to the respective committees.”
He added that the relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) would be invited, as from Monday, to give justification for the estimates (budget defence), as soon possible
“Mr. Speaker in his usual style, will monitor the activities of all the committees during the period of scrutiny and Nigerians can be rest assured of the best from the people’s house.”
Describing the House of Representatives under Speaker Tajudeen Abass as one of the most responsible parliaments in the world, Agbese said, “the statement by Rep. Galambi was not only careless, but un-parliamentary and unfortunate.”
“In fact, I blame lack of concentration, absenteeism and post election petition trauma for such a careless comment by the honourable member from Jigawa State. And to say the least, such an isolated comment shouldn’t have been reported by a patriotic press anywhere in the world,” Agbese added.