Reps Dismiss Alleged Plot Against Speaker Abbas Ahead of Resumption

Abuja, August 31, 2025, The House of Representatives has dismissed reports suggesting that some lawmakers are planning to confront Speaker Tajudeen Abbas when the National Assembly reconvenes on September 23.

The alleged plot was linked to grievances over the recruitment of 785 new staff and delays in the funding of constituency projects. Reports claimed that some aggrieved lawmakers had taken to the House’s WhatsApp platform to vent their frustrations, accusing the Speaker and the leadership of sidelining them.

However, in a statement on Sunday, House spokesman Akin Rotimi described the reports as “misleading and sensational.” He stressed that informal conversations among lawmakers, particularly on WhatsApp groups, cannot be mistaken for official resolutions of the Green Chamber.

Rotimi clarified that the recruitment of new staff was conducted solely by the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), an independent statutory body, and not by the House leadership. He added that Speaker Abbas has already directed the Committee on Public Service Matters to investigate the process.

“Contrary to insinuations of an impending showdown, the House remains united under the leadership of Speaker Abbas Tajudeen,” Rotimi said. “With 360 members from diverse political, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, the 10th Assembly continues to reflect the full heterogeneity of the nation.”

On the issue of delayed constituency projects, the spokesman explained that the challenge was national and not peculiar to lawmakers’ nominations. He noted that the Appropriations Committees are already engaging the Ministry of Finance to ensure outstanding 2024 obligations are met.

He further dismissed claims of unfair regional bias in development, stressing that the House operates on principles of equity, justice, and fairness.

Rotimi said the House remains committed to its constitutional mandate of lawmaking, oversight, and representation, and will resume on September 23 with renewed focus on national priorities.