The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has described the new board and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission as illegitimate.
President Bola Tinubu had in August constituted a new board and management for the NDDC.
Although the appointees were screened and confirmed by the Senate, Agbese noted that the NDDC appointees must undergo screening in the House of Reps to be recognised by the laws of the country.
Speaking to select journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Agbese insisted that the appointees could only be inaugurated after the confirmation of the Senate and House of Reps according to section 2A of the NDDC Act.
He said, “The omission of the House of Reps from the screening process negates section 2A of NDDC Act 2000 which partly states that the board and management of NDDC would be appointed by the President subject to the confirmation of the Senate in consultation with the House of Representatives.
“Our nation is bounded by the Constitution. The NDDC board can only be inaugurated after confirmation by the Senate and House of Reps. Anything other than that is totally unlawful.”
He stated that the House of Reps was not involved in the screening and the subsequent confirmation of the appointees, calling on the presidency to do the needful on the matter.
Agbese noted, “I can confidently say that the House was not sufficiently consulted. The proper thing must be done so that the NDDC board and management can be duly inaugurated.
“I am, therefore, using this medium to warn intending appointees of Mr. President or his nominees not to cause any unnecessary friction between the parliament and the Presidency as we are all ready to work together.
“Everyone must understand that the new wave of collaboration between the executive and the 10th National Assembly is symbiotic in the interest of our Constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
“The President and NASS leadership are in sync and this can only mean progress and stability for our nation. All they need now is the support of Nigerians. “
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