Abbas’ Steady Leadership Saved House of Reps from Crises in 2025 – Agbese

 

Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has credited the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, with steering the 10th House through turbulent moments in 2025 and preventing internal crises that could have destabilised the parliament.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Agbese described 2025 as a defining year for the House, noting that the legislature faced intense political and institutional pressures from within and outside the National Assembly.

According to him, the ability of the Speaker to manage disagreements through consultation, restraint and strict adherence to parliamentary procedures ensured that internal disputes did not escalate into full-blown crises.

“Despite the numerous challenges encountered in 2025, Speaker Abbas justified the confidence reposed in him,” Agbese said. “He showed that leadership is about standing on principle, truth and making sacrifices for the collective interest of the institution and the country.”

Agbese noted that issues which had fractured previous assemblies were carefully managed under Abbas’ leadership, with the stability of the House placed above personal or sectional considerations.

“There were matters that, in the past, would have torn the House apart. But under Speaker Abbas, such issues were contained because he prioritised the institution over individual interests,” he said.

He cited the controversy surrounding alleged alterations in the gazetted tax laws as one of the most significant tests of leadership in 2025, explaining that Abbas acted swiftly after the matter was raised on the floor of the House.

Agbese said the Speaker constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee to investigate the allegation and, alongside Senate President Godswill Akpabio, directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to commence the process of re-gazetting the laws to reflect what was duly passed by lawmakers.

“The leadership responded with maturity and institutional responsibility, not defensiveness. Verification, transparency and due process were activated. That is the essence of legislative strength,” he said.

He also recalled the controversy surrounding recruitment into the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), describing it as another delicate moment that required tactful handling.

“The NASC employment issue almost set the parliament against itself. Emotions ran high, but the Speaker handled the situation with wisdom and maturity, preventing chaos,” Agbese said.

On concerns relating to members’ welfare and constituency projects, the lawmaker said Abbas adopted dialogue and transparency rather than confrontation to address the issues.

“These matters are directly linked to lawmakers’ responsibilities to their constituents. Speaker Abbas ensured they were resolved through constructive engagement,” he added.

Agbese reaffirmed the House of Representatives’ commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy, saying the resolve was evident throughout 2025 and would be deepened in 2026.