Budget oversight: Tinubu need not appear before Reps, says deputy spokesman

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said President Bola Tinubu does not need to appear before the House to address concerns over the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act, insisting that the constitutional responsibility for explaining budget execution rests with ministers and other relevant government officials.

Agbese stated this on Sunday while speaking with a select group of journalists in Abuja, days after a heated plenary session in the House over a motion seeking to invite the President to explain the poor implementation of the national budget, particularly constituency projects.

The controversy followed a motion sponsored by the member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Alex Ikwechegh, who urged the House to summon the President to provide explanations on delays in budget implementation.

The motion sharply divided lawmakers, with some members backing the proposal while others opposed it, leading to a rowdy session on the floor of the Green Chamber.

Presiding over the sitting, Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, ruled that the prayer seeking to summon the President was inadmissible, pointing out that it was not contained in the version of the motion earlier submitted to him before plenary.

“It is a complete deviation from the copy you gave me,” the Speaker had ruled, declining to entertain the altered prayer.

Speaking on the development, Agbese argued that inviting the President was unnecessary, maintaining that the officials directly responsible for implementing the budget are those constitutionally accountable to the National Assembly.

The House does not need Mr President to appear before it to resolve budget-related issues. The relevant ministers and the Office of the Accountant-General are the right people to answer questions members are asking because they are directly involved in budget implementation,” Agbese said.

He explained that the National Assembly’s oversight powers are primarily exercised over ministries, departments and agencies, whose chief executives and supervising ministers are responsible for the execution of projects and utilisation of appropriated funds.

According to him, these officials are better placed to provide detailed explanations on the level of implementation of constituency projects and other items captured in the national budget.

Agbese also praised Abbas for his handling of Wednesday’s proceedings, describing his conduct as a demonstration of maturity, fairness and fidelity to parliamentary rules.

Speaker Abbas showed rare leadership as the presiding officer. He handled the proceedings with calmness, fairness and a clear commitment to protecting the integrity of the House,” he said.

The Benue lawmaker urged Nigerians not to misconstrue the House’s oversight role, stressing that members remain committed to ensuring transparency, accountability and value for public expenditure.

He said the House would continue to summon ministers, heads of MDAs and other relevant public officials to account for funds appropriated by the National Assembly and ensure that projects approved in the budget are fully implemented.

According to him, effective legislative oversight remains one of the constitutional tools available to the parliament to ensure prudent management of public resources and improved service delivery.

On calls in some quarters for the cancellation of the National Assembly Open Week scheduled to commence on July 14, Agbese dismissed the suggestion, saying the initiative had become an important platform for promoting legislative transparency and public engagement.

He insisted that members of the House would fully participate in the programme despite ongoing debates surrounding budget implementation.

“Though things are critical, members will never abdicate their primary responsibility of lawmaking for any other thing or whatever grouse they may have.

“NASS Open Week has come to stay. It has helped to showcase our activities to major stakeholders across the globe, including cooperation from other parliamentary institutions and partners,” he said.

The latest development comes amid growing concerns by lawmakers over the pace of implementation of the 2025 budget, particularly constituency projects, many of which legislators say have suffered delays despite appropriations.

The House has in recent weeks intensified its oversight activities, summoning several ministers and heads of agencies to account for the utilisation of public funds and the execution of projects approved by the National Assembly.