July 8 (THEWILL) — A motion seeking to invite President Bola Tinubu to appear before the House of Representatives over the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act triggered a heated debate on Wednesday, briefly disrupting plenary as lawmakers sharply disagreed over the proposal.
The controversy erupted after the member representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency of Delta State, Benedict Etanabene, raised a point of privilege concerning a June 29 circular issued by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.
The circular directed all Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to suspend the processing of payments for Constituency and Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIPs) unless such projects receive prior clearance from the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.
Etanabene argued that the directive amounted to an administrative bottleneck capable of frustrating the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act already passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Tinubu.
He expressed concern that the circular could delay or halt the execution of constituency projects intended to deliver critical infrastructure and social services across federal constituencies nationwide.
The lawmaker maintained that the National Assembly appropriated funds for the projects in line with the budget and questioned the legal basis for introducing an additional approval layer before payments could be processed.
He consequently urged the House to invite President Tinubu to personally explain the reasons behind the delays in implementing the budget and to clarify the Federal Government’s position on the Accountant-General’s directive.
The proposal immediately generated intense reactions on the floor, with lawmakers divided over whether the President should be invited directly or whether the relevant government officials responsible for the circular should first be summoned to provide explanations.
The differing views led to a rowdy session, as members exchanged arguments over constitutional procedures, executive accountability, and the proper oversight role of the House of Representatives.
Some lawmakers insisted that the President, as head of the executive arm, should account for the implementation of the Appropriation Act, while others argued that the Accountant-General and the supervising ministry were better placed to explain the policy directive.
The disagreement temporarily disrupted the plenary before normal proceedings resumed.
The Accountant-General’s circular has continued to generate concern among lawmakers, who fear it could affect the timely execution of constituency and zonal intervention projects captured in the 2025 budget, with many warning that prolonged delays could deny communities the benefits of critical development projects.
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