Reps reject name change of Apo Legislators Quarters, say building is part of Nigeria's history

- The House of Representatives on Wednesday, April 25, rejected the move to change the name of Apo Legislators Quarters

- The motion to do so was moved by Lawmaker Segun Adekola, adding that the change would reflect the present realities on the building

- The lawmaker also said the change is necessary because the government had in 2004 sold the quarters

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, April 25, rejected a motion urging the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to change the name “Apo Legislators Quarters” to reflect current realities.

This followed a motion by Rep Segun Adekola (PDP-Ekiti) at the plenary, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

Adekola explained that the motion was borne out of compassion for new legislators who passed through difficult experiences before they could not get befitting accommodation.

Adekola said in 2004, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) mandated the FCTA to sell all federal government non-essential houses in Abuja.

He said this included the Apo Quarters which was sold to legislators occupying houses at the time under specific rules and guidelines.

He expressed concern over the challenging experiences new legislators were subjected to in their quest to get decent accommodation in the FCT.

The lawmaker stressed that this was due to the sale of the quarters originally built to accommodate them.

Adekola further expressed concern over the continuous use of the name Apo Legislative Quarters” in describing the place, when in actual fact, most of the houses were no longer being occupied by legislators.

According to him, it has since changed hands due to sales to third or even to a fourth party.

He said there was the need to protect and uphold the sanctity of the legislature by putting in place, a corrective measure to address the ugly trend and distortion of fact.

He, therefore, called for change of the name, as over 80% of the inhabitants of the quarters were not legislators.

“Legislature is the distinctive mark of a country’s sovereignty.

“The index of its status as a state and the source of much of the power exercised by the executive arm of government in the administration of the country.

“The legislature is the bedrock of any government, being an institution which represents the common and collective interests of the citizens.

"(It is exercised) through the enactment of laws and the exercise of oversight functions on the activities of the executive arm of government.

“In June 2003, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, based on the recommendation of a committee headed by the then secretary to the government of the federation, Ufot Ekaette, directed that the fringe benefits of all public and political office holders be monetised,” he said.

Contributing to the motion, Rep Uzoma Nkem-Abonta (PDP-Abia) sought a new prayer to the motion to ensure that FCTA urgently provided befitting quarters and set aside for serving legislators.

Deputy Speaker Yussuff Lasun asked the mover of the motion to withdraw it, as many former members still resided in the quarters.

He said that the name of the place had no bearing on how the parliament performed.

Also, the Deputy Chief Whip Pally Iriase said that the world over monuments were maintained for historical purposes.

He said that though many members no longer resided in the quarters, the name was a point of history that should be preserved for historical purposes.

Rep Johnson Agbonayinma (APC-Edo) said that the quarters lost its status as a national monument, the moment it was monetised and lost its initial function and status.

The motion was unanimously rejected by members when it was put to a voice vote by the speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara.

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was accused by a member of the House of Representatives, Johnson Agbonayinma, of selling the Apo Legislators Quarters because of his third term agenda.

The accusation was made by the lawmaker, on Wednesday, April 24, when his colleague, Segun Adekola, moved a motion that the name be changed Apo Legislators Quarters.

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