Chief Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, in Abuja, defended the 10th National Assembly’s legislative record, saying lawmakers are working with the executive on Agbese pro-people bills designed to address security, economic and social concerns affecting Nigerians.
Agbese, who represents the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, said the House had initiated several measures before similar proposals emerged from the executive, rejecting suggestions that the legislature simply endorses government initiatives.
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He pointed particularly to the proposed establishment of state police, an issue that has become increasingly prominent as Nigeria grapples with kidnapping, terrorism and banditry.
“We have been on the state police bills for sometime now. The initiative remains solely that of the parliament,” Agbese said.
The lawmaker said the executive’s decision to introduce its own state police proposal should instead provide an opportunity for both arms of government to reconcile their positions and develop a stronger framework before the proposal proceeds to the state Houses of Assembly.
The House’s position has some recent legislative backing. In June, the House passed a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police, with 289 lawmakers voting in favour and four against, according to the National Television Authority.
The state police proposal is part of a wider constitutional reform process aimed at decentralising aspects of Nigeria’s security architecture.
Earlier National Assembly records also show that proposals for state police have been under consideration for years.
Agbese said cooperation between the executive and legislature should not automatically be interpreted as political subservience.
“The idea is that contrary to the insinuation being created in some quarters that we pass every bill and motion from the executive, I want to clear the air that we are working ahead of the executive on bills that have positive impact on the generality of people,” he said.
His comments come amid wider scrutiny of the relationship between the presidency and the 10th National Assembly, particularly as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
The lawmaker also pointed to security as an area where he believes greater coordination between parliament and security chiefs is producing results.
Agbese cited recent rescue operations involving kidnapped victims in Oyo and Kwara states as evidence of what he described as improving operational coordination.
“We are beginning to record positive gains despite the numerous challenges that we are being faced with as a country,” he said.
He praised Chief of Defence Staff Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede and other service chiefs for what he described as a more coordinated approach to tackling terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
The assessment comes against a backdrop of continuing insecurity across several parts of Nigeria, making security one of the most politically sensitive issues confronting the government and legislature.
Agbese also welcomed Federal Government measures aimed at improving military welfare, including salary increases and renovation of barracks.
Beyond security, however, the lawmaker acknowledged a significant problem affecting constituency projects: unpaid contractors.
Agbese admitted that the executive had failed to fulfil its promise to settle contractors who used their own resources to execute constituency projects.
“The executive have not done well on their promise to pay contractors who have used their resources to execute constituency projects for the lawmakers. It is wrong and no need to sugar coat it,” he said.
The concern is not isolated. In July, House member Chinedu Obika said contractors handling constituency projects were still owed for work dating back to 2024 and 2025, claiming that some approved allocations had not been released.
The issue has also generated tension within the House. In July, lawmakers rejected a motion seeking to summon President Bola Tinubu over unpaid contractor debts, although the House mandated an ad hoc committee to engage relevant fiscal agencies on funding and outstanding liabilities.
The Federal Government, for its part, has said it is working to address outstanding obligations to local contractors. In May, Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele said the government remained committed to resolving verified debts in a structured and transparent manner.
Agbese said the National Assembly leadership was using parliamentary diplomacy to engage the executive on the matter rather than allowing the disagreement to become another political confrontation.
“Our leaders are using parliamentary diplomacy to engage the executive to do the needful,” he said.
He also defended the relationship between President Bola Tinubu and the legislature, noting that Tinubu’s previous experience as a senator should give him an understanding of the importance of constructive executive-legislative relations.
At the same time, Agbese pushed back against calls for lawmakers to immediately suspend their recess because of insecurity, economic concerns and unpaid constituency contractors.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers under the Save Democracy Group had raised concerns about what it described as the “nosediving” of Nigeria’s democracy, citing constitutional issues, budget implementation, public spending, economic hardship and insecurity.
Agbese acknowledged the concerns but questioned the timing of the demand, particularly with the 2027 elections approaching.
“One cannot say the highly respected lawmakers are wrong but the timing is suspicious,” he said.
He warned legislators against allowing parliament to become a vehicle for political interests outside the institution.
“The 2027 elections are just by the corner and one must be careful not to be seen to be running errands for highly vested political interests outside the parliament,” Agbese said.
The lawmaker also rejected allegations that the House leadership takes important decisions without the required quorum.
“Some persons said the leadership of the House doesn’t allow quorum before taking critical decisions. That is not true,” he said.
Agbese maintained that the House operates through established parliamentary procedures and urged lawmakers with opposing views to use those mechanisms rather than confrontation.
“I doubt if the parliamentarians who want to fight have any boxing experience. We can’t allow that,” he said.
The remarks underline the balancing act facing the 10th National Assembly: maintaining cooperation with the executive while demonstrating sufficient independence to scrutinise government spending and policy.
For Agbese, the immediate test is whether that cooperation can translate into tangible outcomes on issues ranging from state policing and insecurity to budget implementation and contractor payments.
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With the 2027 elections drawing closer, the pressure on lawmakers to demonstrate both legislative effectiveness and institutional independence is likely to intensify.
Ibrahim Onipede is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
