Following the election of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, speculations have arisen concerning the appointment of chairpersons and vice-chairpersons for the standing committees in the House of Representatives.
The standing committees, responsible for establishing policies and providing legislative oversight, are highly coveted positions, attracting both internal and external interests, as per the rumors.
However, the House of Representatives has issued a statement vehemently denying any evidence to support the claims that Speaker Abbas and other House leaders succumbed to outside pressure or influence in the committee appointments.
Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the deputy chairman of the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Media and representative of Ideato Federal Constituency in Imo State, stressed that the Speaker’s Selection Committee is diligently carrying out its responsibilities with fairness and competence, free from external interference.
“I assure you, the reports circulating on social media about the leadership being under external influence or pressure in the appointment of committee chairpersons and vice-chairpersons are false. It’s not true at all,” Ugochinyere stated.
He further emphasized that the Selection Committee, chaired by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and comprising members from all 36 states, is dedicated to representing the interests of all 360 House members in their appointments to various committees.
Ugochinyere called upon the public to disregard any reports suggesting external influence and to trust the committee members as they fulfill their duties.
