Nigeria’s House of Representatives has denied reports that it apologised to President Muhammadu Buhari to brief it on the escalating insecurity situation in the country.
On 1st December 2020 a motion sponsored by all the Borno State lawmakers was passed by the House inviting President Buhari to brief it following the massacre of over 43 rice farmers in Zarbamari village.
President Buhari was initially scheduled to address the House on 10th December but he reneged on his promise to appear before the legislature, The Guardian reported.
On 27th December 2020 local media reported that the House had dropped the invitation bid and subsequently apologized to President Buhari on the invitation.
The report was rejected by the House. In a statement issued by the House Spokesman and Chairman, Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Benjamin Kalu said it never apologized to anyone for doing its constitutional duties.
The statement titled “Clarification on Apology to the Presidency” said the Presidency never sought an apology from the House.
“It has come to the knowledge of the House that few sections of the media reported that the House apologized to the Presidency over the resolution of the House which arose from the motion sponsored by members from Borno State, requesting for the invitation of the President to brief the nation on the state of insecurity in the country,” Mr Kalu said. “The President of 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 apologized to anyone? Media professionals are advised to uphold the ethics of their profession.
He added: “For the avoidance of doubt, the House never apologized to anyone for exercising her constitutional mandate and the 9th Assembly of the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila will not do anything to desecrate or destroy the critical institution of democracy – the Legislature. We strongly believe that President Muhammadu Buhari subscribes to this democratic ethos and ideals as well.”