Ex-lawmakers bullied, yelled at past president during budget presentation – Rep Agbese

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Assembly, Philip Agbese, has said that the former president was bullied and yelled at in the past when he appeared before a joint session of the National Assembly to present a budget estimate.

In a statement on Tuesday, Agbese stated that unlike the in-house acrimony, leadership crisis and executive-legislative rancours that usually characterised past Assemblies the 10th House of Representatives, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has been relatively peaceful.

During a press interaction at the resumed plenary of the House, Hon. Agbese emphasized the marked difference in the present Assembly compared to past ones, characterized by internal conflicts and strained relations between the executive and legislative arms.

“The towering leadership qualities of Mr. Speaker, RT. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas (Ph.D), has accounted for the peace, unity, and tranquility the House currently enjoys, as well as the harmonious working relationship with the executive and the MDAs thereunder,” stated Hon. Agbese.

Agbese further noted that the House, under Speaker Abbas, has departed from the era of internal conflicts and wasted time on unproductive crises.

Agbese, representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, commended the maturity exhibited by Speaker Abbas in handling parliamentary affairs.

He attributed the successful passage of the 2024 Budget in record time to the efficient leadership of Speaker Abbas.

He explained, “There were times in this country when the President was bullied and yelled at when he appeared before a joint session of the National Assembly to present a budget estimate.

“It does not mean that the Parliament is rubber-stamped; it simply means the Lawmakers put the general interest of the people far above personal interests and both arms of government respect their boundaries in balancing their powers.”