- The service chiefs opted to send representatives, which caused dissatisfaction among the lawmakers present
The Sectoral debate scheduled to commence on Thursday at the House of Representatives has been postponed due to the absence of the Service Chiefs, who failed to appear in person for the event.
Part of the House’s efforts, led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, aims to enhance its constitutional oversight of the executive arm of government, aligned with the Legislative Agenda for the 10th Assembly launched earlier this week.
The Service Chiefs, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, and the Inspector General of Police, were invited to participate in the debate. However, they opted to send representatives, which caused dissatisfaction among the lawmakers present.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu highlighted this discrepancy, emphasizing that the Service Chiefs were expected to appear in person, not through proxies. Consequently, he moved a motion to prevent presentations from the representatives.
The Speaker upheld both the order and the motion, dismissing the representatives and instructing the Service Chiefs to attend the House on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, for the commencement of the debates.