Security Chiefs failed to appear before the House of Representatives for the scheduled sectoral debate on the security situation in the country.
This is as the House rejected representatives sent by the Chiefs, asserting that they were expected to appear in person due to the critical nature of the issues involved.
The chiefs who were suppose to attend the debate include; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Inspector General of Police, Kayide Egbetokun,
The House had scheduled to commence sectoral debate with issues of the security situation in the country on Thursday.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Kalu who raised a point of constitutional order said section 88 and 89 of the constitution empowe the House to invite anybody to offer explanations on national issues.
READ ALSO: Flood kills 3, destroys 1,838 houses in Gombe – Official
According to him, when invited, such persons are supposed to honour such invitation by se ding their Chief Executives to the parliament, because the parliament is a grade one institution.
He said it has been the practice of the House over time not to accept representation from persons invited to brief parliament and answer questions from them.
He however moved a motion asking the House to suspend the sectoral debate with the security chiefs until such a time when their Chief Executives will appear that brief the House has answer their questions.
The position of the Deputy Speaker was unanimously supported by members who voted to suspend the debate.
Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen asked the delegation to report back to their principals that the House will not take representation, while rescheduling ty debate with the Security Chiefs for Tuesday, November 21, 2023.
The suspension of the debate however brought the day’s plenary to an end as all other business if the House had earlier been suspended to make way for a robust engagement with the Security Chiefs. (The Nation and Good Evening Nigeria)
