The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Rep. Philip Agbese, has said there is no need for President Bola Tinubu to appear before the House to explain the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act, insisting that ministers, heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation are responsible for budget execution.
Agbese made the clarification on Sunday while addressing journalists in Abuja, days after a heated plenary session over a motion seeking to invite the President to explain the alleged poor implementation of the 2025 budget, particularly constituency projects.
The controversy began when the lawmaker representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon. Mascot Ikwechegh, moved a motion calling on the House to summon President Tinubu to account for the implementation of the budget.
The motion sparked a sharp debate on the floor of the House, with lawmakers divided over whether the President should be invited.
During the session, Speaker of the House, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, ruled that Ikwechegh had departed from the approved version of the motion by introducing an additional prayer that was not contained in the original document submitted before plenary.
“It is a complete deviation from the copy you gave me,” the Speaker ruled.
Reacting to the incident, Agbese maintained that the constitutional responsibility for implementing the national budget lies with the relevant government agencies, 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 appropriate officials to answer the questions raised by members because they are directly involved in implementing the budget,” he said.
He explained that the National Assembly has constitutional oversight powers to scrutinise government spending and ensure accountability, adding that public officials responsible for implementing appropriated funds are duty-bound to account for their stewardship before lawmakers.
Agbese also commended Speaker Abbas Tajudeen for his handling of the tense plenary, describing his leadership as calm, impartial and firmly guided by parliamentary rules.
“Speaker Abbas demonstrated exemplary leadership as the presiding officer. He managed the proceedings with fairness, maturity and a strong commitment to preserving the integrity of the House,” he said.
He urged Nigerians not to politicise the House’s oversight functions, reaffirming the commitment of lawmakers to promoting transparency, accountability and the effective implementation of projects captured in the 2025 national budget.
