Speaker Rules Out Proposal as Lawmakers Clash Over Delayed Funding of Constituency Projects
The House of Representatives was on Wednesday thrown into a rowdy session as lawmakers clashed over a motion seeking to invite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to explain the alleged non-funding of constituency projects and the slow implementation of approved budgets.
The debate followed a motion sponsored by the member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, Alex Ikwechegh, who raised concerns over delayed releases of capital funds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) despite budgetary approvals.
Earlier, Delta lawmaker Benedict Etanabene urged the House to invoke its constitutional oversight powers by inviting President Tinubu and members of his economic team to explain the reported suspension of funding for zonal intervention and constituency projects.
The proposal sparked heated exchanges across the chamber, with lawmakers divided over the issue. Attempts by some members to oppose aspects of the motion were drowned out by loud protests, forcing Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to repeatedly call for order.
Ikwechegh argued that the credibility of Nigeria’s appropriation process depends on the timely release and utilisation of funds, noting that several MDAs disclosed during the 2026 budget defence sessions that they received little or no capital releases for the 2025 fiscal year.
He also cited President Tinubu’s December 2025 directive ordering the settlement of verified contractor liabilities estimated at about ₦1.5 trillion and expressed concern that, despite legislative approvals and government assurances, fund releases remain slow.
The lawmaker further criticised a Treasury circular reportedly requiring additional verification before payments for constituency projects can be processed, warning that it could create fresh bureaucratic bottlenecks.
However, Speaker Abbas ruled that the proposal seeking to summon the President could not be adopted, describing such a move as inconsistent with parliamentary practice.
The House subsequently adopted the substantive resolutions of the motion, urging the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Central Bank of Nigeria to accelerate the release and cash-backing of appropriated funds, publish a clear release schedule for the 2026 fiscal year, and conclude the verification and settlement of outstanding contractor liabilities within a publicly communicated timeframe.
IBN News will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information emerges.
