The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, on Tuesday dismissed media reports that lawmakers were preparing to challenge Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, after the recess.

Speaking with reporters in Abuja, he said members remain firmly united behind the Speaker and that confidence in Tajudeen’s leadership is not negotiable and unwavering.

The clarification came after a media report suggested that discontent over unpaid constituency projects was threatening to trigger a showdown against the Speaker.

It was stated that the discontent was expressed largely on WhatsApp platforms of lawmakers, and stemmed from grievances over alleged denial of privileges, including exclusion from a recent recruitment exercise in the National Assembly and delayed payments to contractors handling constituency projects.

However, Agbese, who praised the Speaker’s leadership, fairness, and commitment to members’ welfare and constituency development, described the reports as “speculative” and a deliberate attempt to sow discord in the Green Chamber.

Agbese said; “The confidence of members in Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen is not negotiable and unwavering. Since his emergence, Mr. Speaker has demonstrated outstanding qualities of leadership, fairness, and deep respect for colleagues across party lines. He has continued to carry members along in decision-making in line with the ‘People’s House’ mantra and has shown unmatched commitment to the welfare of members and development of their constituencies.”

Agbese described reports alleging grievances over staff recruitment as misinformation.

He clarified that recruitment is handled by the National Assembly Service Commission, an independent body, and not the Speaker.

The spokesperson, however, said Tajudeen has constituted two special committees, one headed by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and the other by the former Deputy Speaker of the 9th House, Rt. Hon Idris Wase, to look at the issues.

“Abbas Tajudeen has done more than enough to stabilise the house. During our first year in office, he had to shed all the weight acquired from previous leadership to accommodate everyone. This means that he had to give up his statutory benefits for first-termer in terms of projects and resource allocation.