Rowdy Session in Reps as Lawmakers Divide Over Move to Invite Tinubu to Explain Constituency Projects Funding Delays

The House of Representatives was thrown into a heated session on Wednesday as lawmakers disagreed over a motion seeking to invite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address concerns over alleged delays in funding constituency projects.

The motion, sponsored by Alex Mascot Ikwechegh (LP, Abia State), urged the House to invite the President to explain the situation surrounding the implementation of constituency projects across the country.

The proposal, which was seconded on the floor, triggered a tense debate among lawmakers, with some members calling for further action while others opposed the move.

During the debate, another lawmaker proposed that the House suspend plenary proceedings for one week until the funding concerns were resolved, a suggestion that further heightened tensions in the chamber.

Opposing the motion, Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau State) argued that summoning the President was unnecessary, stressing that the responsibility for implementing and funding constituency projects rests with relevant ministries, departments and agencies of government.

Gagdi also rejected the proposal to suspend legislative activities, describing it as inappropriate and unnecessary.

His position sparked disagreement among members, leading to heated exchanges and disorder on the floor before the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, intervened.

The Speaker directed lawmakers to vote on the matter to determine the House’s position.

However, Abbas ruled the proposal to invite President Tinubu out of order, explaining that the request was not contained in the original motion presented by Ikwechegh.

The session ended with lawmakers divided over the appropriate approach to addressing concerns surrounding constituency project funding, with the House maintaining that the issue would continue to be handled through legislative processes.