The House of Representatives on Monday denied an alleged plot against the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, over delays in constituency project funding, describing the claims as misleading and based on informal conversations taken out of context.
In a statement on Sunday by its spokesman, Akin Rotimi Jr., the House faulted a media report, which suggested that discontent over unpaid constituency projects was threatening to trigger a showdown against the Speaker.
Rotimi fumed that the report “elevates isolated remarks and informal conversations from House WhatsApp groups as if they represent the official position of any House caucus or the House itself.”
According to him, the 10th Assembly remained united under Abbas despite its diversity of political, ethnic, and religious affiliations.
While acknowledging delayed contractor payments, Rotimi said the issue was not peculiar to constituency projects by lawmakers but was part of wider fiscal challenges across the federation.
“Delayed contractor payments are a national challenge and not peculiar to the constituency projects nominated by honourable Members,” the statement noted. “For many weeks, the House leadership, through the Appropriations Committees, has engaged the Honourable Minister of Finance. Payments have commenced, and the leadership is committed to ensuring all outstanding 2024 obligations are settled expeditiously.”
Rotimi also acknowledged that lawmakers were under pressure from constituents to deliver nominated projects, but cautioned against misinterpreting these concerns.
“Honourable members face pressure from constituents expecting nominated projects to be implemented in line with participatory development,” he explained. “While these agitations are valid, they must be understood within current fiscal realities and not misrepresented.”