Despite the allocation of N134 billion to the National Assembly in the 2021 budget, the Spokesperson for the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu says members of the parliament are suffering.
He blamed the pressure from constituents for the deaths and diseases befalling members of the National Assembly.
Kalu made the statement while reacting to questions from a journalist on the alleged compromise of the National Assembly on some investigative hearings it conducted which are yet to be acted upon.
He said the lawmakers are getting demands from constituents on issues outside the mandate of the members of the National Assembly.
The claim is coming in the wake of the death of Ossy Prestige, a lawmaker who died in Germany following a protracted illness.
Kalu in his speech denied compromise of the House under Femi Gbajabiamila but maintained that most lawmakers are suffering from “heart-related diseases” due to the pressure from constituents.
He noted that the lawmakers would be living luxurious lifestyles if they had compromised.
“As per being compromised, you would have seen it on the lawmakers.”
He blamed the pandemic for the slow pace of activities in the legislative process of the National Assembly.
“This is the poorest parliament. You don’t see the lawmakers living in luxury. Compromised with what? With position or money? These guys are suffering.
“That is why most of the sickness they are passing through is heart attacks. It is this failure or that failure, due to stress from their constituents. The truth must be told, whether you understand it or not. Let the press know this that the pressure from the constituents is killing members of the National Assembly. That is the truth. The pressure is too much.”
