Proposal to invite Tinubu sparks rowdy session in Reps
The house of rep became rowdy on Wednesday after lawmakers disagreed over a proposal to invite President Bola Tinubu.
The issue started when Benedict Etanabene, the representative of Okpe Federal Constituency in Delta State brought the attention of the House to a circular made by Shamseldeen Ogunjimi the Accountant-General of the Federation.
He referred to a directive instructed by Shamseldeen to the federal Ministries, Departments, Agencies(MDAs) concerning processing payments for Constituency and Zonal intervention projects telling them to stop until they receive approval from the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.
According to Etanabene, the new payment process may slow down constituency projects captured in the 2025 budget, making it difficult for the projects to begin or continue as planned.
Following his remarks, Etanabene asked the House to invite President Bola Tinubu to explain the delay in carrying out approved projects.
“The budgets are not being implemented presently in Nigeria today. We are implementing the 2024, 2025 and 2026 budgets concurrently. This is not in the best interest of everybody,” he said.
“I wish to move the motion that this house invite Mr president to come in the soonest to brief this house and explain the need for this circular.”
His proposal drew different reactions from the representatives. While some supported the invitation, others argued that the matter should be handled by the relevant government officials instead of the President.
