2027: Abbas’ inclusive leadership winning opposition for Tinubu — Reps deputy spokesperson

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese Photo: Web

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has attributed the growing support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid among opposition lawmakers to the inclusive leadership style of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Agbese, a Labour Party member representing Ado/Ogbadigbo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency of Benue State, said Abbas had created an atmosphere of cooperation and mutual respect in the 10th House of Representatives, making it possible for lawmakers to work across party lines.

He spoke in an interview in Abuja on Tuesday, explaining that the Speaker’s non-discriminatory approach to legislative administration had helped to reduce partisan divisions and encouraged opposition members to support initiatives of the Tinubu administration.

Although a member of the opposition Labour Party, Agbese has been among the lawmakers openly campaigning for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

He argued that Abbas had demonstrated that legislative leadership should not be driven by party affiliation but by fairness, consultation and equal opportunities for all members.

According to him, the Speaker’s commitment to the joint-task project of the 10th Assembly has ensured that lawmakers across political parties are adequately represented in the leadership and membership of standing and ad-hoc committees.

“In his firm belief in the joint-task project of the 10th Assembly, Speaker Abbas has ensured that members cutting across all political parties are carried along in terms of chairmanship, deputy chairmanships and memberships of key committees of the House.

“Even in the chairmanships and membership composition of critical ad-hoc committees of the House, you will observe that the Speaker has been very democratic and all-inclusive in carrying everyone along,” he said.

Agbese maintained that the arrangement had fostered a sense of belonging among opposition lawmakers, allowing them to participate meaningfully in legislative activities without feeling marginalised because of their political affiliations.

He said the atmosphere created by Abbas had also encouraged lawmakers to focus on issues of national importance rather than allow partisan considerations to dictate their positions on government policies.

The Deputy Spokesperson listed economic development, security, infrastructure, employment generation and improved living conditions as some of the issues requiring cooperation between the legislature and the executive.

He noted that lawmakers were elected primarily to represent their constituents and should therefore be willing to support government policies and programmes capable of delivering tangible benefits to Nigerians, irrespective of the political party that introduced them.

Agbese said the growing cooperation between opposition lawmakers and the Tinubu administration should be viewed against this background, rather than interpreted solely as a political realignment.

He added that the Speaker’s leadership had strengthened unity within the House and demonstrated that political differences should not stand in the way of national development.

With political activities gradually gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, Agbese said the experience of the 10th Assembly showed the importance of building consensus across party lines.