Nigeria’s House of Representatives erupted into a rowdy session Wednesday as lawmakers clashed over a motion seeking to summon President Bola Tinubu to explain alleged failures in funding constituency projects.
The motion, sponsored by Alex Ikwechegh of Abia State, accused the government of poor funding of appropriated budgets and persistent delays in releasing capital funds to ministries, departments and agencies. Lawmakers across party lines expressed frustration, saying the slow implementation of projects approved by the National Assembly undermines credibility and public trust.
The debate followed a point of order raised by Benedict Etanabene of Delta State, who cited a circular from the Accountant-General’s office suspending funding for zonal intervention projects pending new verification requirements. The disclosure deepened tensions in the chamber, with members shouting over one another until the Speaker repeatedly called for order.
Ikwechegh argued that appropriation powers mean little if funds are not released and cash-backed on time. He recalled that during the 2026 budget defense sessions, ministers admitted that some sectors received no capital releases for the entire 2025 fiscal year, while others received only fractions of their allocations. Contractors have staged protests over unpaid certificates for completed projects, with many struggling to repay loans taken to finance government contracts.
He noted that Tinubu had previously directed the settlement of verified contractor liabilities estimated at 1.5 trillion naira and approved borrowing to clear the backlog. Despite these directives, lawmakers said disbursement to agencies remains slow, leaving projects stalled.
The motion reflects broader concerns about Nigeria’s fiscal management and governance. International observers often highlight budget credibility as a key measure of government accountability, and delays in project funding can affect infrastructure development, investor confidence, and service delivery.
The government has not yet responded to the latest parliamentary uproar. Analysts say the row underscores growing tensions between the executive and legislature over fiscal transparency, with implications for Nigeria’s economic stability and democratic processes.
