Rep Philip Agbese credits Speaker Abbas for opposition lawmakers backing Tinubu

Philip Agbese, deputy spokesman of the House of Representatives, says the growing support for President Bola Tinubu among opposition lawmakers is due to the leadership of Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
What he said
In an interview in Abuja on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, Agbese, a Labour Party member representing Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency in Benue State, said the Speaker had created a working environment that put national interests above party loyalty. He said lawmakers from different parties had been given a real sense of involvement, pointing to how committee chairmanships, deputy chairmanships and memberships were shared.
Background
Agbese is one of the most prominent opposition lawmakers openly backing the President's re-election. A number of opposition lawmakers and politicians have defected to the APC or declared support for Tinubu in recent months, while others have joined new opposition platforms such as the ADC and the NDC.
- Agbese is a Labour Party lawmaker from Benue.
- He credits Speaker Abbas's inclusive leadership.
- Several opposition figures back Tinubu.


