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Tag: Hon. Philip Agbese

  • Tinubu’s intervention averted implosion in National Assembly – Reps deputy spokesperson

    Tinubu’s intervention averted implosion in National Assembly – Reps deputy spokesperson

    The deputy spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, on Monday said that the timely intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prevented what could have been a major crisis within the National Assembly over the delay in the release of funds for 2024 and 2025 capital projects.

    He said this against the backdrop of last week’s protest by indigenous contractors who disrupted activities at the National Assembly to express anger over the federal government’s failure to pay them for projects executed since 2024.

    During a closed-door session last Wednesday, lawmakers expressed concern over the poor funding of the national budget and demanded full implementation of the capital component of the 2024 Appropriation Act.

    They also urged the federal government to ensure the prompt commencement of the 2025 capital budget to avoid project delays.

    The protest by members of the All Indigenous Contractors Association of Nigeria (AICAN), who blocked the main entrance of the National Assembly complex in Abuja, reportedly heightened tension among lawmakers.

    The protesters lamented that the non-payment of their dues had forced many to sell their properties or shut down their businesses.

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    The House had earlier resolved to suspend sittings for seven days over the non-payment of contractors and the delay in funding capital projects, particularly constituency projects.

    The decision was, however, rescinded following what members described as positive developments from the Executive.

    Speaking with reporters on Monday, Agbese described the last few days in the House as “challenging but instructive.”

    He said that calm had returned after the leadership, under Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, took decisive steps to address lawmakers’ grievances.

    “The frustration expressed by some of our colleagues was genuine. Many projects across the country, especially constituency projects, were stalled due to the non-release of funds. This also affected indigenous contractors who executed 2024 capital projects but were yet to be paid,” he said.

    He said the Speaker and other principal officers immediately engaged the Presidency to prevent the situation from escalating.

    “The intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was decisive. Mr. President directed the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, to commence immediate payment to contractors. We have received confirmation that some of these payments have begun. This singular action helped douse rising tempers and restore normalcy within the House,” Agbese stated.

    He commended the Speaker for handling the matter with maturity.

    He said, “Our members have absolute confidence in Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. He has shown that he is a truthful and patriotic leader who believes in dialogue, not division. The House remains united in its resolve to support the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

    Agbese clarified that the delay in budget implementation was not the fault of the Tinubu administration but rather a result of inherited obligations from previous fiscal years.

    “This administration inherited uncompleted projects and past budget obligations that must be implemented. The delay cannot be blamed on President Tinubu. On the contrary, his swift response demonstrated his commitment to good governance and fiscal responsibility,” he said.

    He commended the President for his intervention and called on the Executive to expedite the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 approved budget to sustain development and public confidence.

  • Tinubu is a meticulous economic planner, says Reps Deputy Spokesman

    Tinubu is a meticulous economic planner, says Reps Deputy Spokesman

    The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has expressed confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s capacity to prudently manage Nigeria’s resources, describing him as a meticulous economic planner committed to rebuilding the nation’s financial stability.

    Speaking with journalists at the National Assembly, Agbese said Nigerians should not be alarmed by recent external borrowing approvals, assuring that under President Tinubu’s leadership, every loan would be judiciously used for its intended purpose.

    Agbese, who represents Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency of Benue State under the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the remarks following the recent approval by both chambers of the National Assembly for the Federal Government to raise $2.347 billion from the international capital market.

    The loan is intended to part-finance the 2025 budget deficit and refinance maturing Eurobonds.

    The House of Representatives granted approval after considering the report of the Committee on Aids, Loans, and Debt Management, chaired by Hon. Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba (APC, Nasarawa). According to the report, the borrowing plan comprises $1.23 billion to fund the 2025 budget deficit and $1.12 billion to refinance Eurobonds maturing in November 2025.

    The committee explained that the funds would be sourced from the international capital market through Eurobond issuance, loan syndication, bridge financing, or direct borrowing from multilateral institutions.

    Lawmakers also approved the issuance of Nigeria’s first-ever Sovereign Sukuk of up to $500 million in the international capital market — a landmark initiative expected to attract Islamic-compliant investors and diversify the country’s external borrowing portfolio.

    While some Nigerians have expressed concerns over the country’s growing public debt and the prudence of loan utilisation, Agbese maintained that President Tinubu’s record speaks for itself.

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    “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not an ordinary politician; he is a tested economic strategist who has demonstrated exceptional prudence in resource management. His record as Lagos State Governor remains a model of how strategic planning and fiscal discipline can transform a region into an economic powerhouse,” he said.

    The lawmaker said the President’s approach to governance is guided by a clear development blueprint aimed at strengthening key sectors, stimulating job creation, and driving sustainable growth.

    “Mr. President knows what he is doing. He doesn’t take decisions impulsively. Every borrowing plan under this administration is carefully thought out, with clear repayment frameworks and measurable developmental outcomes. Nigerians can trust his sense of judgment,” Agbese added.

    He also commended the Tinubu administration’s fiscal and monetary reforms, noting that they are already yielding positive results.

    “From stabilising the exchange rate to restoring investor confidence, we are beginning to see the results of a visionary leader who understands both local and global economics. These are not accidental successes — they are the product of meticulous planning and consistent follow-through,” he said.

    Agbese further lauded the National Assembly for maintaining a constructive partnership with the executive arm to ensure that all borrowings are properly scrutinised and linked to tangible development projects.

    “As representatives of the people, we have a duty to ensure transparency and accountability. But with President Tinubu at the helm, there’s no cause for fear. His track record in transforming Lagos into Africa’s fifth-largest economy speaks volumes about his capacity to deliver,” he noted.

    The Benue-born lawmaker said the President’s economic vision extends beyond short-term relief, emphasising long-term sustainability, industrial expansion, and infrastructural renewal.

    “What President Tinubu is building is not just for today but for the future. The Renewed Hope Agenda is about repositioning Nigeria to compete globally, reduce import dependency, and create jobs for millions of young Nigerians,” he stated.

    Agbese urged Nigerians to remain patient and supportive of the administration’s reform measures, assuring that the current sacrifices will yield lasting benefits.

    “No doubt, President Tinubu will utilise every loan for the purpose it was intended. He is meticulous, visionary, and deeply committed to Nigeria’s prosperity. This is the kind of leadership our nation has long desired, and it is one we must all rally behind,” he said.

  • Interior Minister is parliament’s treasured asset, says Reps Deputy Spokesman

    Interior Minister is parliament’s treasured asset, says Reps Deputy Spokesman

    The Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has described the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as “not just a super-performing minister but parliament’s treasured asset.

    Speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Agbese said the attacks on the minister were a “calculated attempt to distract a reform-minded public servant whose record of innovation and results has redefined service delivery in Nigeria’s public sector.”

    “In less than a year, Dr. Tunji-Ojo has transformed the Ministry of Interior from a bureaucratic enclave into a model of efficiency,” he said. “He cleared over 200,000 passport backlogs in just three weeks, introduced end-to-end automation that eliminated touting and racketeering, and opened new passport offices across several countries to serve Nigerians in the diaspora. Today, citizens can apply for and collect their passports within days, not months — and that’s a direct outcome of his leadership.”

    Agbese noted that Tunji-Ojo’s reforms also extended to other agencies under the ministry.

    “He has brought structure and discipline into the correctional system. Over 4,500 inmates were released to decongest overcrowded prisons, biometric systems have been deployed to track escapees, and jailbreaks have practically become a thing of the past,” the lawmaker said.

    According to him, the minister’s emphasis on human capital development within the paramilitary agencies has restored morale and professionalism.

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    “He ensured timely promotions, introduced digital monitoring systems, and improved the welfare of officers. The ministry has become a place of dignity and performance. Under his supervision, it has generated over ₦6 billion in revenue this year alone — proof that transparency and efficiency can go hand in hand,” Agbese stated.

    He dismissed the NYSC certificate controversy as “a hoax designed by desperate politicians who cannot match competence with results.”

    “The so-called certificate scandal is nothing but noise,” he said. “These are the same old tactics of distraction deployed whenever a young, effective leader begins to challenge the old order. The enemies of progress cannot stand the fact that the Renewed Hope Agenda is working through people like Dr. Tunji-Ojo.”

    Agbese urged Nigerians to focus on measurable performance rather than unsubstantiated allegations.

    “Governance is not about gossip; it’s about delivery. Every citizen can see the difference the Interior Ministry is making — faster services, cleaner processes, and greater accountability,” he said.

    He also warned against “the weaponisation of social media to smear public officials without proof,” insisting that all legitimate concerns should follow due process.

    “If there are questions, let the institutions of state handle them — not political jobbers or social media mobs. The rule of law must not give way to mob hysteria,” he cautioned.

    Agbese described Tunji-Ojo as one of the brightest examples of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision, saying his blend of youth, competence, and patriotism had restored citizens’ confidence in government institutions.

    “Dr. Tunji-Ojo represents a new generation of leadership — focused, innovative, and accountable. He is building systems, not headlines. Those peddling falsehoods will fade, but his legacy of reform will remain,” Agbese declared.