The Deputy Speaker of the Home of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has declared that every one members of the parliament are colleagues and equal regardless of their political affiliations, financial or social backgrounds.
He mentioned that being a presiding officer, principal officer or chairman of a committee within the Home is a privilege granted by each the depart of the Home and the mandate of the members, emphasising that the place doesn’t presuppose superiority.
He, due to this fact, said that there isn’t any discrimination of any member of the Home whether or not previous or new, rating or no rating.
Kalu’s clarification turns into essential within the gentle of a growth that occurred throughout the plenary on Tuesday the place the member representing Bonny/Degema federal constituency of Rivers State, Hon. Cyril Hart, alleged that preferential therapy was accorded to the rating members of the Home over the first-timers.
Kalu, who swiftly responded that there was “no discrimination in parliament” additional clarified that the row the place the member was sitting had earlier been given a possibility to talk, stressing that different rows additionally wanted to be accommodated.
The Deputy Speaker added that members are, nonetheless, recognised to make their precious contributions to debates based mostly on their sitting association and never by their age, tribe, geopolitical zones, political or legislative expertise.
In accordance with a press release by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu mentioned that the presiding officers aren’t bosses to the members however solely servant-leaders dedicated to upholding democratic ethos and tenets by offering the wanted route to assist notice the mandate of the Home within the total curiosity of the nation.
He emphasised that the tenth Home below the in a position management Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas as Speaker will proceed to be truthful, simply and open to each member and be certain that all voices have been heard.
He harassed that their privileged positions as first amongst equals don’t elevate them larger and above their colleagues, assuring that the members will all the time be accorded the wanted respect and recognition within the spirit of equality and brotherhood.