Rowdy House Session Over Proposal to Summon Tinubu

During a session in Nigeria's House of Representatives, a proposal to summon President Bola Tinubu was met with heated exchanges among lawmakers. The discussion was initiated by Benedict Etanaben, representing the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency in Delta State, who raised concerns about a circular issued on June 29 by the Federal Ministry.

This circular directed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to suspend payments for constituency zonal intervention projects until they received clearance from the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs. Etanaben argued that this directive significantly slowed down the implementation of projects already included in the 2025 budget and created additional bureaucratic hurdles not accounted for in the Appropriation Act.

The proposal to invite President Tinubu to explain the slow pace of budget implementation sparked a sharp reaction, leading to a rowdy session where members shouted across the chamber. Critics of the circular expressed concerns that it would stall the release of funds and affect timely execution of approved projects.