HoR Denies Apologising to Buhari Over Invitation to Address Nigerians

In reaction to an uproar by citizens, the House of Representatives has denied apologising to the President, Muhammadu Buhari for inviting him to address Nigerians on the growing insecurity in the country.

This was contained in a statement made available by the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Benjamin Kalu, on Monday denied the allegation.

The statement which was titled ‘Clarification on Apology to the Presidency’ faulted the claims disclosing that the house will not desecrate or destroy the critical institution of democracy – the Legislature.

The statement read, “It has come to the knowledge of the House that few sections of the media reported that the House apologized to the Presidency over the resolution of the House which arose from the motion sponsored by members from Borno State, requesting for the invitation of the President to brief the nation on the state of insecurity in the country.

“The President of the Presidency, as the case may be, never sought for an apology from the House of Representatives for carrying out her constitutional responsibility to the Nigerian electorate. Where then did the media get the report that the House as an institution apologises to anyone? Media professionals are advised to uphold the ethics of their profession.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the House never apologised to anyone for exercising her constitutional mandate and the 9th Assembly of the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila will not do anything to desecrate or destroy the critical institution of democracy – the Legislature. We strongly believe that President Muhammadu Buhari subscribes to this democratic ethos and ideals as well.”

Recall that the House had earlier in December invited Buhari over the killing of 43 rice farmers in Borno State by Boko Haram insurgents but in a report on the media, the House members apologized for inviting the President to address the House.