Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has attributed growing support for President Bola Tinubu among opposition lawmakers to the inclusive leadership style of Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
Agbese, a Labour Party member representing Ado/Ogbadigbo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency of Benue, said this at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.
He praised Tajudeen’s non-discriminatory approach to managing the House, saying it had helped bridge political differences and foster cooperation among lawmakers, irrespective of their party affiliations.
Agbese said the speaker had demonstrated that effective leadership was not about favouring members of the ruling party but ensuring that every lawmaker had a sense of belonging and an opportunity to contribute to legislative affairs.
“In his firm belief in the ‘joint task project’ of the 10th Assembly, Speaker Tajudeen has ensured that members cutting across all political parties are carried along,” he said.
He said this was reflected in the distribution of chairmanship, deputy chairmanship and membership positions in key House committees.
“You will observe that the speaker has been very democratic and all-inclusive in carrying everyone along,” he said.
Agbese commended Tajudeen for sustaining an atmosphere of consultation, mutual respect and accommodation, which he said had enabled lawmakers from different political parties to work together in pursuit of common national interests.
He said the speaker’s leadership had also shifted attention from partisan divisions to issues affecting Nigerians, including economic development, security, infrastructure, employment and improved living conditions.
According to him, lawmakers, regardless of their political affiliations, are first and foremost representatives of their constituencies and have a responsibility to support policies and programmes capable of improving their constituents’ lives.
Agbese said the growing cooperation between opposition lawmakers and Tinubu’s administration should be understood within the context of the leadership environment created by the speaker.
He said Tajudeen’s ability to carry all members along had strengthened unity in the House and encouraged lawmakers to assess government policies on their merits and support initiatives considered beneficial to the country.
Agbese said the approach was particularly important as political activities gathered momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that national development required collaboration across party lines.
He said the experience in the lower chamber had demonstrated that political differences should not prevent elected representatives from working together in the national interest.
Agbese, a Labour Party member of the House, is among lawmakers actively campaigning for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
