JUST IN: Reps in rowdy session over move to recall Tinubu

A motion tabled by a member of parliament, Benedict Etanabene, representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie federal constituency in Delta State, summoned President Bola Tinubu before the House of Representatives held a rowdy session in the green room on Wednesday.

Lawmakers disagreed with the proposal and different parties supported and opposed the proposal.

Etanabene, in the plenary session, made his special point to draw the attention of the House to a circular dated June 29 issued by Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, accountant general of the federation.

In the memo, Ogunjimi directed all federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to immediately stop processing payments for constituency and zonal intervention projects (ZIPs) unless they have been formally vetted by the ministry of special duties and intergovernmental affairs.

Etanabene urged the DPR to summon the president to address lawmakers regarding the delay in implementing the 2025 budget, adding that the circular would further hamper the implementation of the Appropriation Law.

He argued that the circular was an additional bureaucratic hurdle not provided for in the Appropriation Law and warned that this could further delay budget implementation.

Etanabene, therefore, urged the House to invite President Tinubu to explain the slow pace of budget implementation and the reasons behind the directive, insisting that the executive owed an explanation to Nigeria and the National Assembly.

However, his request sparked a sharp reaction among MPs, with some MPs opposing the proposal to summon the President, while others supported the move, giving rise to debate.

The heated dispute disrupted the trial process when members shouted throughout the room about the appropriateness of inviting the President to appear before the DPR regarding this issue.