Proceedings in the house of representatives turned rowdy on Wednesday as lawmakers disagreed over a motion seeking to summon President Bola Tinubu.
The disagreement started during plenary when the member representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency of Delta State, Benedict Etanabene, raised a point of privilege over a circular issued by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.
In the memo, Ogunjimi directed all federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to immediately halt processing payments for constituency and zonal intervention projects (ZIPs) unless they have been formally vetted by the ministry of special duties and intergovernmental affairs.
Etanabene urged the house to summon the president to address lawmakers on the delay in implementing the 2025 budget, adding that the circular would further hamper the execution of the Appropriation Act.
He noted that the circular amounted to an additional bureaucratic bottlenecks not contemplated in the Appropriation Act and warned that it could further delay the execution of the budget.
Etanabene therefore urged the House to invite President Bola Tinubu to explain the slow pace of budget implementation and the reason behind the directive.
The lawmaker insisted that the executive owed Nigerians and the National Assembly an explanation.
Meanwhile, his request sparked sharp reactions on the floor, with some lawmakers opposing the proposal to summon the President, while others supported the move, leading to a rowdy session.
The heated exchanges briefly disrupted proceedings as members shouted across the chamber over the propriety of inviting the President to appear before the House on the matter.
The June 29 circular by the Accountant-General directed all MDAs to suspend payment processing for constituency and zonal intervention projects until they receive clearance from the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, a move aimed at strengthening oversight of the projects.
