Reps Session Turns Rowdy Over Motion to Summon Tinubu on Budget Implementation
Pecohub The House of Representatives was on Wednesday thrown into a rowdy session as lawmakers clashed over a motion seeking to summon President Bola Tinubu to explain the alleged non-funding of constituency projects.
The tension followed the consideration of a motion sponsored by the member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Alex Ikwechegh, who decried what he described as poor funding of appropriated budgets and persistent delays in the release of capital funds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The motion came on the heels of a Constitutional Point of Order raised by the member representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency of Delta State, Benedict Etanabene, who informed the House that he had seen a circular from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation announcing the suspension of funding for zonal intervention projects pending fresh verification requirements.
The debate quickly divided the chamber, with lawmakers across party lines expressing frustration over what they described as the slow implementation of projects approved by the National Assembly.
While the motion enjoyed overwhelming support, attempts by some members to oppose aspects of it were drowned out by loud shouts and protests from their colleagues, forcing the Speaker to repeatedly call for order.
Moving the substantive motion titled, “Urgent need to address the poor funding of appropriated budgets and delayed releases to MDAs as revealed during the 2026 budget defence sessions,” Ikwechegh argued that the credibility of the appropriation process depends not only on the passage of the budget but also on the timely release and utilisation of funds.
He said, “The powers of appropriation in the National Assembly, and the credibility of the budget rests not only on the size of the figures appropriated, but on the fidelity, timeliness with which appropriation funds are released, cash-backed, and utilized for ministries, departments, and agencies.
