The House of Representatives has rejected the claim that its members received N100 million each as palliatives from the Federal Government.
The spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, issued a statement to refute the assertion made by Christopher Onyeka, the Assistant General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Onyeka had alleged that each lawmaker received the sum of N100 million as palliative funds from the government.
The House of Representatives demanded a prompt retraction of this statement and a public apology from the Nigeria Labour Congress. They emphasized the importance of transparency and truth in public discussions for a well-functioning democracy.
The statement clarified that the claim made by Mr. Onyeka was false. It asserted that Members of the House of Representatives never received any money from the Executive arm of the government as palliatives. The House considered the statement by Mr. Onyeka as malicious, irresponsible, and lacking good faith.
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“The House of Representatives demands an immediate retraction of this lie and a public apology from the Nigeria Labour Congress. The NLC as a critical stakeholder in the development of Nigeria has a voice and it risks delegitimising that voice if it is found to include fables in its legitimate agitations,” the statement read.
“Transparency and truth in public discourse are necessary for a functioning democracy. While we doubt that Mr. Onyeka was actually conveying the official position of the NLC on this claim, it is nonetheless important to correct such misinformation.
“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 House of Representatives expressed disappointment that Mr. Onyeka misrepresented facts to support legitimate demands of the NLC while attempting to discredit the National Assembly and incite the public against it.
In conclusion, the House of Representatives demanded an immediate retraction of the false claim and a public apology from the Nigeria Labour Congress.
“We consider it irresponsible and most unfortunate that Mr. Onyeka would misrepresent facts in a bid to lend credence to otherwise valid demands of the NLC, while seeking to denigrate the National Assembly, and inciting the public against the institution.
“Accordingly, the House of Representatives demands an immediate retraction of this lie and a public apology from the Nigeria Labour Congress. The NLC as a critical stakeholder in the development of Nigeria has a voice and it risks delegitimising that voice if it is found to include fables in its legitimate agitations.
They reminded the NLC and all Nigerians that in the short time since the 10th Assembly’s tenure began, they have demonstrated their commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers and the entire population.
“Second, we wish to remind the NLC and indeed all Nigerians that in less than 100 days in the tenure of the 10th Assembly, we have demonstrated our commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers and all Nigerians.”
