Reps Insist on In-Person Appearance of Service Chiefs, Turn Back Representatives

The House of Representatives has made it clear that representatives of the Service Chiefs are not a substitute for the personal appearance of the chiefs themselves, upholding the summons for them to appear before it on 21st November. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas reiterated this stance after receiving the representatives of the chiefs during Thursday’s plenary session. While commending the representatives for their presence, he urged them to convey the message to the Service Chiefs to personally appear at 11 a.m. on the specified date. The summons to the service chiefs was issued in light of the pressing security challenges facing the country. However, it was noted that the service chiefs had failed to comply by sending representatives in their stead. Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, emphasized the constitutional authority vested in the House to invite individuals not only for investigative purposes but also for constructive dialogue. He expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of the service chiefs in person, stating, “It is not satisfactory that they are not here in person. I want to move that these sectoral engagements be suspended until the service chiefs come to address us personally.” (NAN)