Abuja, March 2, 2026 (NAN) Deputy Spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Rep. Philip Agbese, has lauded Speaker Abbas Tajudeen for being strategic in steering a complex parliament through a difficult period of national recovery.
Agbese told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that the speaker had demonstrated uncommon skill in leading the House at a time when the country is navigating economic reforms.
“Speaker Tajudeen is demonstrating uncommon skills in leading a complex parliament in an era of economic recovery.
“This is not a time for confrontation but for strategic engagement and parliamentary diplomacy to win our battles,” he said.
NAN reports that Agbese’s comment was against the backdrop of the insinuations being made in certain quarters that the speaker had sold the House to the executive arm of government.
The deputy spokesperson, however, described such comment as personal opinions of the concerned members which did not reflect the overall position of the majority of members.
According to him, many lawmakers have faulted such claims and have, instead, expressed strong support for the speaker and passing a vote of confidence in his leadership.
Agbese emphasized that effective legislative leadership does not always manifest in public confrontation but in quiet, strategic negotiation and institutional engagement to meet the demands of members.
He also commended the speaker over his recent remarks at the Presidential Villa, saying it not only reflected maturity but persuasive in presenting the concerns of the House before President Bola Tinubu.
“In an atmosphere of reflection and unity, the speaker anchored his message on shared national values such as justice, sacrifice and accountability.
“He framed our concerns not as sectional demands but as patriotic imperatives, aligned with the national interest,” he said.
Agbese said that Tajudeen’s approach was a reflection of a deep understanding of the doctrine of separation of powers and the independence of the legislature.
He said that the speaker’s method of engagement had helped to preserve the harmony between the executive and the legislatives arms of government without compromising the oversight responsibility of the National Assembly.
Agbese identified what he called three defining qualities of the speaker’s leadership style, including strategic framing of legislative concerns within national priorities.
According to him, Tajudeen’s approach reinforces the constitutional role of the National Assembly as a co-equal arm of government committed to cooperative governance rather than unnecessary confrontation.
“The speaker did not merely speak at the Villa; he led. He ensured that the concerns of the House were heard clearly at the highest level without escalating tensions or compromising principles,” he said.
Agbese stated that the House remained united under Tajudeen’s leadership and committed to advancing legislative priorities in the national interest.
He noted that rather than resorting to public confrontation, the speaker had adopted a leadership style rooted in consultation, consensus-building and institutional respect.
The deputy spokesperson commended the speaker for ensuring that the House remained focused on legislative priorities supporting national stability.(NAN)
