‘House Of Reps Does Not Need President Tinubu To Resolve Budget-related Issues’ – Agbese

The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said the House does not require President Bola Tinubu to appear before the lawmakers to address concerns over the implementation of the 2025 budget.

The legislator said that the responsibility for such explanations rests with Ministers, Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.

Naija News reports that Agbese stated this on Sunday while speaking with journalists in Abuja.

His position follows Wednesday’s rowdy plenary at the House, which was triggered by a motion seeking to invite President Tinubu to explain the alleged poor implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act, particularly constituency projects.

The controversy began after the member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Mascot Ikwechegh, moved a motion calling on the House to summon the President over the implementation of the budget.

However, the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, who presided over the session, ruled that Ikwechegh had departed from the approved version of the motion by introducing an additional prayer seeking to summon the President.

“It is a complete deviation from the copy you gave me,” the Speaker ruled.

Reacting to the development, Agbese said the constitutional responsibility for implementing the budget lies with the relevant agencies of the executive and not the President.

“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 the questions members are asking because they are directly involved in budget implementation,” he said.

He noted that the National Assembly has constitutional oversight powers to scrutinise government expenditure and ensure accountability, adding that officials responsible for implementing budgetary provisions must account for their stewardship before lawmakers.

Agbese also commended Speaker Abbas Tajudeen for his handling of the debate, describing his conduct as fair and in line with 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.

He urged Nigerians not to politicise the House’s oversight responsibilities, saying lawmakers remained committed to ensuring prudent management of public resources and effective implementation of projects captured in the national budget.

According to him, the House would continue to engage the relevant ministers, heads of MDAs and other government officials to obtain necessary clarifications and ensure that funds appropriated for constituency and other public projects are properly utilised.