Minority Caucus Slams House Spokesman, Insists Legislature Not Executive’s ‘Lapdog’

Nigeria's House of Representatives Minority Caucus has sharply criticized the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs Chairman, Hon. Akin Rotimi, accusing him of overstepping his authority. The caucus contends that Rotimi improperly spoke for the entire House in response to their recent criticisms regarding worsening insecurity and economic hardship across the country.

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the National Assembly must never become a “lapdog of the Executive,” insisting that its constitutional responsibility is to hold the government accountable to the people.

In a statement signed by Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, the opposition lawmakers asserted that the National Assembly must function as a check on the executive branch, not as its "lapdog." They argued that Rotimi's purported representation of the House's collective position lacked authorization from any resolution, sitting, or meeting of the House. The caucus emphasized Parliament's constitutional duty to scrutinize the executive, especially during times of significant national challenges.

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the buck stops at the President’s table

The Minority Caucus invoked President Bola Tinubu's past stance that "the buck stops at the President's table," suggesting this principle requires lawmakers to speak out against public suffering. They accused the executive arm of failing to meet its commitments to Nigerians through Parliament and criticized Rotimi for defending the administration instead of demanding accountability.

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Parliament is not, and will never be, a lapdog of the Executive

Expressing "grave concern" over what they termed procedural impropriety, the caucus warned that such conduct could set a dangerous precedent for parliamentary practice. They specifically faulted Rotimi's use of the phrase "House Notes," deeming it misleading and a violation of members' collective privileges. The lawmakers pointed out that the House had not convened since June 15, 2026, and no subsequent session or resolution had authorized a unified House position on the matters raised by the Minority Caucus.

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grave concern