There was no sight of President Muhammadu Buhari as the House of Representatives held its Thursday’s plenary.
The House had invited the President on the security situation in the country, but media reports that Buhari has shelved the plan to honour the invitation turned out to be true as the President made no appearance at the plenary.
The presidency had earlier announced that President Buhari would honour the invitation by the House of Representatives at 10am on Thursday.
But it appears Buhari made a u-turn after the Progressive Governor’s Forum, an umbrella body of Governors belonging to the All Progressives Congress (APC) fold reportedly prevailed on him to ignore the invitation, over speculations that there might be booby traps ahead.
Reacting to the failure by the President to honour the Reps’ invitation, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Femi Falana faulted APC Governors for convincing the President to ignore the briefing.
Falana said: “Regrettably, the President has been under pressure from APC governors not to honour the invitation for fear that they too may be similarly invited to address their respective houses of Assembly.
“On his part, the Attorney-General of the Federation has questioned the constitutional power of the National Assembly to invite the President on the grounds that as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he cannot be compelled to disclose operational details of the defence of the country. With respect, the President is under a moral and legal obligation to honour the invitation. Having accepted the invitation, the President should not allow himself to be embarrassed by turning round to turn down the invitation.
“By the combined effect of sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution, the National Assembly is empowered to summon any public officer, including the President, in the course of investigating any matter concerning which it has the power to make laws and the conduct of affairs of any person, authority, ministry or government department charged, or intended to be charged, with the duty of or responsibility for executing or administering laws enacted by the National Assembly.” Falana told newsmen.
