Reps divided over bid to drag Tinubu before House
Proceedings in the House of Representatives descended into chaos on Wednesday as lawmakers clashed fiercely over a motion seeking to summon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The tension arose from growing frustrations over delays in implementing the 2025 Appropriation Act.
The uproar erupted during plenary when Benedict Etanabene, the lawmaker representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency (Delta State), raised a point of privilege concerning a controversial directive issued by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.
Etanabene drew the attention of the House to a circular dated June 29, which instructed all federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately halt payment processing for constituency and Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIPs). According to the directive, no payments should be cleared unless the projects are formally vetted by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.
The Delta lawmaker argued that the executive order creates unnecessary bureaucratic bottlenecks not factored into the Appropriation Act. He warned that the directive would frustrate lawmakers’ efforts to deliver democratic dividends and severely stall the execution of the 2025 budget.
“The executive owes Nigerians and the National Assembly an explanation,” Etanabene insisted, as he urged the House to invite President Tinubu to explain the slow pace of budget implementation and the rationale behind the controversial circular.
Chaos on the floor
The demand to summon the president immediately polarized the chamber, triggering sharp, emotionally charged reactions.
While a faction of lawmakers strongly supported the move to hold the presidency accountable, opposing members vehemently rejected the proposal to drag the President before the House. The resulting shouting match disrupted legislative proceedings, with members trading hot words across the aisle over the propriety of the invitation.
The controversial June 29 circular from the Accountant-General’s office was reportedly designed to strengthen oversight and curb irregularities in the execution of zonal projects.
However, critics within the National Assembly maintain that the extra layer of clearance will only succeed in stalling the release of vital funds, leaving approved 2025 developmental projects in limbo.
