Abbas: We won’t allow executive take decisions against public interest

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives, says the national assembly won’t allow the executive arm to take decisions against the interest of the public.

Abbas spoke on Tuesday while briefing journalists, after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at Aso villa, Abuja.

Abbas dismissed concerns that the 10th house will be a “rubber stamp”.

The speaker said he is convinced that the number of lawmakers who voted for him shows that he is capable of being entrusted with leadership responsibility.

“Well, if you talk about rubber stamp, look at the acceptance rate of those who elected us across party lines,” he said.

“So, if they felt that we are going to be a rubber stamp, do you think they will elect us? No. They believe that we will safeguard the sanctity of the national assembly.

“As legislators, we will always separate our independence and we will relate and be able to harmonise with the executive where necessary.

“But where there is conflict of interest where we feel that the executive is or wants to do something that is not in the interest of the public, they know that we’ll stand up against that.”

Also speaking, Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker, said the 10th house will ensure nation-building by collaborating with the executive and judiciary.

“This extends to the creation of jobs, reduction of poverty, policies that go into enhancing our energy sources, policies that will help us create more local content usage in this country,” he said. 

“Manufacturing will help us reduce importation and increase exportation that will stimulate our economy.”