Minority Caucus demands apology from House spokesman Akin Rotimi within 72 hours over alleged misrepresentation of parliament’s position.

The Minority Caucus of Nigeria’s House of Representatives has demanded a public apology from the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akin Rotimi, over what it described as a misrepresentation of parliament’s position on national insecurity and economic hardship.

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In a statement issued on Saturday by the caucus spokesperson, Victor Afam Ogene, the opposition lawmakers accused Rotimi of improperly speaking on behalf of the entire House while responding to the caucus’ criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s handling of the country’s security and economic challenges.

The latest dispute highlights growing tensions within the National Assembly over the role of parliament in holding the executive accountable amid worsening insecurity and public concerns about the cost of living.

According to the caucus, it remains the constitutional responsibility of the legislature to scrutinise government actions and demand accountability from the executive arm.

“The constitutional position has not changed. Thus, the legislature must never look away when the country bleeds,” Ogene said, recalling President Tinubu’s own assertion while in opposition that “the buck stops at the President’s table.”

The Minority Caucus argued that rather than demand accountability from the executive, the House spokesman had chosen to defend government actions despite what it described as repeated failures to fulfil commitments made to Nigerians through parliament.

“The Caucus declares, unequivocally, that Parliament is not, and will never be, a lapdog of the Executive. We will keep speaking for Nigerians, even if the Majority Caucus elects to capitulate at the altar of blind partisanship,” the statement said.

At the centre of the controversy is a statement issued by Rotimi on Friday, purportedly on behalf of the House, in response to the caucus’ criticism of the federal government.

The opposition lawmakers contend that the spokesman lacked the authority to present a collective position of parliament because no formal sitting or resolution had been adopted on the matter.

The caucus noted that the House last sat on June 15, while its own media briefing took place on June 17. It argued that no subsequent plenary session or official meeting had been held to authorise a unified parliamentary position.

“The deployment of the phrase ‘House Notes’ in his statement is improper, misleading, and constitutes a flagrant breach of the collective privileges of Members,” Ogene stated.

The lawmakers further insisted that while Rotimi could legitimately speak on behalf of the Speaker, House leadership or the Majority Caucus, he had no mandate to represent the views of all members, particularly the opposition bloc.

As part of resolutions reached during an emergency virtual meeting on June 19, the caucus formally demanded a public apology from Rotimi within 72 hours.

Failure to comply, the lawmakers warned, would trigger a petition to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges seeking disciplinary action.

Beyond the immediate dispute, the caucus also pledged to raise concerns over the implementation of the national budget when the House resumes plenary.

The opposition lawmakers claimed that security-related ministries, departments and agencies have recorded less than 30 per cent budget implementation since 2024, a situation they described as alarming given the country’s security challenges.

“The Armed Forces cannot sustainably prosecute campaigns against heavily armed insurgents under such fiscal constraints,” the statement said.

The caucus linked delays in funding, unpaid contractors and operational shortcomings to the deterioration of security conditions across parts of the country.

Reaffirming its position, the opposition lawmakers said they would continue to speak on issues affecting Nigerians regardless of political pressure.

“The Minority Caucus will keep speaking out for Nigerians, as the Constitution demands. That is not partisanship; it is parliamentary duty,” Ogene said.

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The development comes amid increasing debate over the independence of the National Assembly and its oversight role under the current administration, with opposition lawmakers insisting that effective checks and balances remain essential to democratic governance.