Reps reject proposal to invite President Tinubu over alleged suspension of constituency project funding

By Taiwo Scholarstica

The House of Representatives on Wednesday turned down a proposal seeking to invite President Bola Tinubu to explain the alleged suspension of funding for zonal intervention projects, popular known as constituency projects, during a heated plenary session on the implementation of the 2026 budget.

The debate arose while lawmakers were considering a motion sponsored by Alex Ikwechegh, the member representing the Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency of Abia State, regarding the poor funding of approved budgets and delays in the release of capital allocations to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Before deliberations on the motion commenced, Benedict Etanabene, the member representing the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency of Delta State, raised a constitutional point of order.

He informed the House that he had seen a circular issued by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation announcing the suspension of funding for constituency projects pending fresh verification requirements.

Etanabene urged the House to invoke its oversight powers by inviting President Tinubu and members of his economic team to explain the development.

“I wish, Mr. Speaker, that the Constitution be tested. I want to urge this House to agree that we summon Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria together with his financial team to please come to this House to brief Nigerians exactly what is happening because the stories are not complimentary at all.”

“We cannot explain to the constituents what is happening. Presently, in Nigeria today, we are implementing the 2024, 2025, and 2026 budgets running concurrently. This is not in the best interest of any of us,” he said.

His proposal sparked a lively exchange on the floor of the House, with lawmakers shouting across the chamber as opinions differed over the suggestion.

Presenting the substantive motion, Ikwechegh argued that the success of the national budget depends not only on its passage but also on the timely release and effective utilization of appropriated funds.

“The powers of appropriation in the National Assembly, and the credibility of the budget, rest not only on the size of the figures appropriated but on the fidelity and timeliness with which appropriated funds are released, cash-backed, and utilized for ministries, departments, and agencies,” he said.

The lawmaker stated that ministers and heads of government agencies had informed legislators during the 2026 budget defense that many MDAs received little to no capital releases under the 2025 budget.

He also recalled that President Tinubu had directed the immediate payment of verified contractor debts, estimated at about ₦1.5 trillion, and approved the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee to reconcile records and facilitate payments.

Despite the directive, Ikwechegh said the release of funds to MDAs has remained slow, delaying projects and creating financial difficulties for contractors.

He further criticized a treasury circular dated June 29, 2026, issued by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, which made it mandatory for constituency projects to obtain a Certificate of Verification and Compliance from the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs before payments could be processed.

According to him, the new requirement introduced additional bureaucratic procedures capable of slowing the execution of constituency projects.

However, the Speaker ruled Etanabene’s proposal out of order, explaining that it was not part of the motion before the House and did not comply with parliamentary procedure.

The House thereafter adopted the substantive resolutions of the motion, urging the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure the timely release and cash-backing of funds approved in the budget.

Lawmakers also called for a clear timetable for the release of funds under the 2026 budget and the prompt payment of verified contractor liabilities.

The House also urged the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation to review the June 29 treasury circular and align it with the President’s directive to avoid further delays in implementing constituency projects.

To strengthen legislative oversight, the Speaker constituted a 12-member ad hoc committee chaired by Abubakar Bichi, the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations.

The panel was mandated to engage relevant fiscal authorities and submit its report to the House within four weeks.