By Sandra Michaels
The Minority Caucus of the 10th House of Representatives has announced the appointment of Hon. Afam Ogene as its new spokesperson, a move aimed at fortifying its constitutional role of providing robust oversight of the Executive arm of government.
Hon. Ogene, a ranking legislator representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in Anambra State, currently leads the Labour Party Caucus in the House.
A seasoned lawmaker and award-winning journalist, Ogene is expected to leverage his extensive communication experience to improve the Caucus’s engagement with Nigerians and sharpen its critique of government policies.
In a statement released on the appointment, the Caucus expressed confidence that Ogene’s background would bolster its efforts to hold the Executive accountable, ensuring that the voice of the opposition remains both coherent and impactful.
In a separate development, the Minority Caucus has launched a scathing critique against the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, accusing him of overstepping his mandate by issuing statements purportedly on behalf of the entire House without consensus.
The Minority lawmakers characterized the recent communication from the House Spokesman as “procedurally improper and misleading.” They pointed to a timeline discrepancy to buttress their claim, noting that while the House last sat on June 15, the Minority Caucus addressed the media on June 17—a development they argue the House spokesman ignored in his attempt to present a unified narrative.
The Caucus further cautioned that the primary constitutional duty of the Parliament is to scrutinize, not to defend, the Executive. By attempting to speak for the entire House, the leadership of the Media and Public Affairs Committee was accused of misrepresenting the views of the Minority and eroding the independence of the legislature.
“Such conduct not only breaches the privileges of members but also fuels the growing public perception that the 10th House has become a mere appendage of the Executive,” the Caucus stated.
The lawmakers demanded stricter adherence to parliamentary procedure, insisting that the office of the House Spokesman should reflect the diversity of opinion within the chamber rather than serving as a mouthpiece for the ruling administration.
