Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Wednesday shut down efforts by lawmakers to smuggle a motion summoning President Bola Tinubu to appear before the House over delays in releasing funds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies for budget implementation.
The Speaker’s action followed the deliberation on a motion, moved by Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, LP, Abia State, calling on the President to appear before the House over persistent delays in funding constituency projects across the country.
The motion was seconded, while another lawmaker proposed an amendment that the House suspend plenary for one week until the issue was resolved.
The proposals sparked a heated debate on the floor of the chamber leading to a rowdy session
Yusuf Gagdi (APC – Plateau State) opposed the motion, arguing that there was no basis for summoning the President since the implementation and funding of constituency projects fall within the responsibilities of the relevant ministries, departments and agencies.
He also rejected the proposal to suspend legislative activities for one week, describing it as unnecessary.
Gagdi’s position drew opposition from some lawmakers, resulting in shouting matches and disorder in the chamber.
As tensions escalated, the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, intervened and directed that the House vote on the matter to determine its position.
The Speaker, however, ruled the proposal to invite the President out of order, stating that it did not form part of the original motion moved by Mascot
