The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has accused the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs of misrepresenting the position of the House in his response to concerns raised by opposition lawmakers over the country’s worsening insecurity and economic hardship.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, the caucus insisted that the National Assembly has a constitutional responsibility to hold the Executive accountable and should not be seen as defending government failures.

The lawmakers reminded the House spokesperson that the legislature’s primary role includes oversight of the Executive, stressing that Parliament must not remain silent in the face of growing security challenges and economic difficulties confronting Nigerians.

According to the caucus, the Executive arm of government has repeatedly failed to fulfill commitments made to Nigerians through the Parliament, yet the House spokesman chose to defend the government rather than demand accountability.

“The legislature is not, and will never be, a lapdog of the Executive,” the caucus declared, adding that it would continue to speak on behalf of Nigerians regardless of political considerations.

The opposition lawmakers also faulted the procedure adopted by the House spokesman, describing his use of the phrase “House Notes” in the statement as misleading and unconstitutional.

They argued that no sitting, meeting, or resolution of the House authorized any collective position on the matter, noting that the last plenary session was held on June 15, while the Minority Caucus addressed the media on June 17.

The caucus maintained that while the spokesman may speak on behalf of the Speaker, House leadership, or the Majority Caucus, he lacks the authority to present his views as those of the entire House of Representatives.

According to the statement, such action amounts to a violation of parliamentary procedures and undermines the rights and privileges of members of the 10th House.

The caucus further argued that the issues it raised concerning insecurity and hardship fall squarely within the constitutional oversight functions of the National Assembly and do not require intervention from the House spokesman in defense of the Presidency.

It warned that such conduct strengthens public perception that the House of Representatives has become an appendage of the Executive arm of government, contrary to the constitutional principle of separation of powers.

Citing Sections 14(2)(b) and 88 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the lawmakers said Parliament is obligated to ensure the security and welfare of citizens while exposing corruption, inefficiency, and waste in government.

The caucus disclosed that during an emergency virtual meeting held on June 19, members unanimously resolved to demand a public apology from the House spokesman for allegedly misrepresenting the position of the House and showing contempt for the Minority Caucus.

It warned that failure to issue the apology within 72 hours would compel the caucus to petition the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges for appropriate disciplinary action.

The opposition lawmakers also resolved to raise, upon the resumption of plenary, the issue of persistent non-implementation of the national budget since 2024.

They expressed concern that defence and security-related Ministries, Departments and Agencies have reportedly recorded less than 30 per cent budget implementation, a situation they believe is worsening the country’s security challenges.

According to the caucus, there is a direct connection between the non-payment of local contractors, operational logistics failures and the escalating insecurity across Nigeria.

The lawmakers warned that the Armed Forces cannot effectively sustain operations against heavily armed insurgent groups under severe fiscal constraints.

Reaffirming its commitment to its constitutional responsibilities, the Minority Caucus said it would continue to speak out on issues affecting Nigerians, insisting that legislative oversight is a core democratic obligation rather than an act of partisanship.

“The legislature is the soul of democracy because of its sacred responsibility to the people,” the statement said, adding that the caucus would not abandon its duty regardless of the position adopted by the Majority Caucus.