By Shola Abayomi.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has fumed at service chiefs for failing to attend a meeting on security scheduled to take place today at the National Assembly Complex.
It was gathered that the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai; Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ibas, and Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi all sent representatives to the meeting.
The Speaker berated the service chiefs for sending accountants and representatives without placing a call to his office.
Lamenting to newsmen, Gbajabiamila said, “I am almost embarrassed to tell you the truth. There was no call placed to my office to explain why, just sending accountants and representatives.”
He revealed that the meeting was postponed till Monday, adding that he was aware of the whereabouts of the service chiefs on Thursday night.
“We will postpone this meeting till Monday morning, I will personally see the president myself because we are supposed to work as one.
“I know some of these chiefs were somewhere yesterday night, I’m aware of that. It shows the disdain for this institution.
“I don’t know of any parliament in the world where the head of parliament will call the service chiefs on a nagging problem on how to resolve it and you won’t show up”, the Speaker bemoaned.
The Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase also reacted angrily to the no-show.
He said, “I am insulted and feel insulted that this institution will make a proclamation, ‘come let us discuss our problems’ and the people in charge are not here.
“As I was coming in, I saw one of the service chiefs going to Zuba, we crossed our way. There has to be a reprimand and we need to let the president know of that.”
The Inspector-general of police, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) were present at the meeting.