Reps session turns rowdy as lawmaker seeks Tinubu’s appearance over budget implementation delays

The House of Representatives was thrown into a rowdy session on Tuesday after a motion seeking to invite President Bola Tinubu to explain delays in budget implementation and the release of funds to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) sparked heated debate among lawmakers.

The motion, moved by Hon. Mascot Ikwechegh, raised concerns over the slow pace of budget execution and the impact of funding delays on government operations and service delivery across the country.

Presenting the motion on the floor of the House, Ikwechegh argued that inadequate funding of government agencies was worsening insecurity and hampering development projects.

“Agencies are not being funded. Our people are kidnapped every day. Heads are being chopped off on national television every day. We want to invite the President of Nigeria as our father, to come and explain to us why we are spending trillions of naira doing coastal roads, yet Nigerians are dying,” he said.

The proposal immediately triggered sharp reactions from lawmakers, with several members opposing the motion and urging its sponsor and supporters to sit down.

The disagreement quickly escalated into a heated exchange, disrupting proceedings and leading to a prolonged debate that lasted for about 30 minutes.

At the end of the deliberations, Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, ruled against the motion.

Abbas explained that the prayers presented on the floor differed from those contained in the original document submitted by the sponsor, describing the development as a deviation from the approved text.

The Speaker’s decision effectively brought the matter to a close, while tensions in the chamber highlighted growing concerns among lawmakers over budget implementation and funding challenges facing government institutions.