Abbas’ Inclusive Leadership Winning Opposition Support for Tinubu, Says Agbese

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has attributed growing support for President Bola Tinubu among opposition lawmakers to the inclusive leadership style of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Agbese, who represents Ado/Ogbadigbo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency of Benue State under the Labour Party, made the remarks during an interview in Abuja.

He said Abbas had created an atmosphere of cooperation in the 10th National Assembly by ensuring that lawmakers across political parties were given opportunities to participate in the activities and leadership of the House.

According to him, the Speaker's approach has helped bridge partisan divisions and strengthened relationships among lawmakers, encouraging them to work together on issues of national importance.

Agbese explained that Abbas' commitment to the principle of a joint task project had ensured that opposition members were accommodated in the distribution of committee leadership positions, including chairmanships, deputy chairmanships and memberships.

He said the arrangement extended to ad hoc committees, adding that the Speaker had demonstrated fairness by involving lawmakers irrespective of their political affiliations.

The deputy spokesperson argued that such an approach had strengthened confidence in the leadership of the House and encouraged opposition lawmakers to support government policies they considered beneficial to Nigerians.

He maintained that political differences should not prevent elected representatives from cooperating with the executive when national interests were at stake.

Agbese also said lawmakers should prioritise issues affecting their constituents, including economic development, insecurity, infrastructure deficits, unemployment and citizens' welfare.

He noted that supporting the policies of an administration did not necessarily require opposition lawmakers to abandon their political identities, insisting that constructive engagement remained essential to democratic governance.

The lawmaker, who has openly advocated Tinubu's re-election despite belonging to an opposition party, said the experience of the 10th Assembly demonstrated the importance of consensus-building and inclusive leadership.

He added that national development required collaboration across political divides rather than persistent partisan confrontation. Independent