Jumoke Olasunkanmi
The House of Representatives has said it is untrue that members of the National Assembly received N100 million palliative from the Executive.
The National Assistant General Secretary of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Christopher Onyeka, had accused the Lawmakers of getting the bogus allowance while the masses were given one bag of rice to share among 12 people to ameliorate the economic hardship caused by fuel subsidy removal.
The House of Representatives, In a statement signed by the Spokesperson/Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akintunde Rotimi, on Wednesday refuted this claim, saying it is baseless and ‘devoid of factual accuracy.’
He said: “First, we state categorically that Mr. Onyeka lied in his claim that National Assembly members were given N100m as palliatives. For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did Members of the House of Representatives receive any money from the Executive arm as palliatives.
“We, therefore, consider this statement as malicious, irresponsible, and in bad faith.”
The 10th House, therefore, demanded an immediate retraction and a public apology from the NLC.
It reassured of their commitment to Nigerian workers and all citizens, citing how the House had taken immediate action to approve the Federal Government’s request for palliatives for the masses to help cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal on vulnerable Nigerians.
The statement concluded by stating that the NLC should see the National Assembly as partners instead of enemies as they are both committed to improving the well-being of Nigerians.
