Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has stated that the ‘Green Chamber’ does not require President Bola Tinubu to appear before lawmakers to answer questions on the implementation of the national budget. He insists that responsibility for budget execution lies with ministers and relevant government officials.
Mr Agbese made the comments in a statement issued on Sunday, in response to last Wednesday’s heated plenary session, during which lawmakers clashed over a motion to invite the President to explain the poor implementation of the 2025 budget, particularly regarding constituency projects.
The controversy arose when Mascot Ikwechegh, representing the Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency of Abia State, moved a motion calling on the House to summon the President to account for delays and challenges in budget implementation. The proposal divided the chamber, with some members supporting the invitation while others argued that it was unnecessary and inconsistent with established parliamentary practice.
The debate became disorderly before Speaker Abbas Tajudeen intervened, ruling that Mr Ikwechegh had deviated from the original motion he had submitted. “It is a complete deviation from the copy you gave me,” the Speaker noted, declining to entertain the new prayer contained in the motion.
