Ministers, Not Tinubu, Should Account for 2025 Budget Implementation, Says Agbese
Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not be required to appear before the House to answer questions on the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act, arguing that such responsibility lies with ministers and other government officials directly involved in executing the budget.
Agbese made the remarks on Sunday while addressing a group of journalists in Abuja, following recent debates in the House over a motion seeking to invite the President to explain delays in implementing the 2025 budget, particularly projects allocated to federal constituencies.
The controversy arose after Alex Ikwechegh moved a motion urging the House to summon the President over concerns about the pace of budget execution. The proposal generated sharp disagreements among lawmakers and led to a tense session during plenary.
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, declined to entertain the request, ruling that the prayer seeking to invite the President was not part of the original motion submitted to him before the sitting. He stated that the amendment represented a departure from the version earlier presented for consideration.
Commenting on the matter, Agbese maintained that the National Assembly’s constitutional oversight role is directed at ministries, departments and agencies responsible for implementing approved budgets, rather than the President.
According to him, ministers, heads of government agencies and the Office of the Accountant-General are the appropriate officials to provide explanations on the execution of constituency projects and other budgeted programmes because they oversee the release and utilisation of appropriated funds.
He added that these officials are better positioned to account for the level of implementation of projects captured in the 2025 Appropriation Act.
Agbese also commended Speaker Abbas for his management of the plenary, describing his handling of the proceedings as fair, mature and consistent with the rules guiding the House of Representatives.
