Two members of the House of Representatives, Bashir Baballe and Abubakar Chika, have revealed the motives behind holding joint-session of the National Assembly.
The duo said it was not for the interest of the nation but the interests of the presiding officers.
Speaking to DAILY NIGERIAN on phone, Mr Baballe, who represents Ungogo/Minjibir Federal Constituency, Kano, wondered why the lawmakers never found it expedient to call for joint session until after the security details of the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House were partially withdrawn.
“It is baffling that when people are killed in different parts of the country, the leaders of the National Assembly did not deem it right to call for the joint session until when the security details of Saraki and Dogara were withdrawn a couple of days ago.
“The last time joint session was held was when the Senate chamber was intruded by thugs. But no joint session was not convened when communities were intruded and people killed by gunmen.
“They simply convened the session because they have some sinister motives.
“On the issue of humiliation, I will say that ‘he comes to equity must come with clean hands’. What was the crime of Senator Ali Ndume and Rep Abdulmumin Jibrin that they were humiliated and suspended by the leadership of the Senate and House?”
Mr Baballe, who is the vice chairman of the House Committee on National Planning, said he raised the issue of insecurity three times on the floor of the House, advising the principal officers of the House to go and meet the president.
“Why didn’t they consider it appropriate to meet the president over insecurity in the country in the past?” Mr Baballe asked.
The lawmaker also fault the National Assembly’s resolution on the Buhari administration’s fight against corruption, arguing that his colleagues facing investigations should rather go and clear their names than cry foul.
“If you are accused of corruption, go and clear your name and stop the blame game,” he said.
Abubakar Chika, who represents Shiroro/Rafi/Munya Federal Constituency, corroborated Mr Baballe’s remarks, saying the National Assembly should stop crying foul and wake to its responsibility.
He faulted passing vote of no confidence on the Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris, saying they opposed the move as individual members when it was it was raised in the House.
