The House of Representatives has rejected a proposal seeking to invite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appear before lawmakers to explain the delay in the payment of contractors handling Federal Government projects.
Instead, the House resolved to establish an ad hoc committee to engage relevant fiscal agencies on the release of funds and the settlement of outstanding liabilities owed to contractors.
The motion was sponsored by the member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, who expressed concern that contractors executing constituency and zonal intervention projects had not received payment despite a presidential directive authorising the clearance of the debts.
Ikwechegh argued that contractors had continued to complain of non-payment, despite statements by government officials indicating that the payment process had begun. He also raised concerns about the simultaneous implementation of multiple budgets and sought greater clarity on the funding of intervention projects.
However, Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, ruled that the request to invite President Tinubu was not contained in the motion formally submitted to his office and therefore could not be considered during plenary.
Abbas explained that the approved motion only sought the establishment of an ad hoc committee to investigate the delayed payments and liaise with the relevant government agencies. He stressed that lawmakers must strictly adhere to parliamentary procedures and could not introduce fresh prayers during debate without following due process.
“You will agree with me that what you are saying is not contained in the motion you gave me. What is written in the motion paper is what the House votes on, not additional requests introduced during debate,” the Speaker said.
Contributing to the debate, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State, said there are established parliamentary procedures for inviting public officials to appear before the House. He maintained that oversight responsibilities should primarily focus on government officials directly responsible for implementing policies rather than the President.
The debate generated sharp reactions among lawmakers, with members divided over whether the President should be summoned.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu also reaffirmed that House rules require all urgent motions to be submitted and approved before they are presented on the floor. He noted that no amendment was moved during the debate to include a request for President Tinubu’s appearance.
According to Kalu, the fifth prayer of the approved motion only called for the creation of an ad hoc committee to interface with relevant agencies over the delayed payments and listed the committee’s proposed membership.
He warned that allowing lawmakers to introduce new prayers outside the approved motion would violate the House’s standing rules and parliamentary tradition.
As proceedings became increasingly rowdy, Kalu urged members to respect the rules governing legislative business, noting that lawmakers must demonstrate compliance with the same laws and procedures they expect Nigerians to obey.
Speaker Abbas later restored order in the chamber and cautioned members against disruptive conduct, warning that sanctions could be imposed on any lawmaker who continued to interrupt proceedings.
Following deliberations, the House unanimously adopted the motion as originally submitted, approving only the establishment of an ad hoc committee to investigate the delayed payments to contractors and engage the appropriate government agencies on resolving the outstanding obligations.
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