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The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has defended the handling of last week’s contentious plenary by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, insisting that there is no constitutional or procedural necessity for President Bola Tinubu to appear before the House to answer questions on the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act.
Speaking with a select group of journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Agbese said the responsibility for implementing the national budget rests with ministers, heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, arguing that they are the appropriate officials to account for budget performance before the National Assembly.
His comments followed the rowdy session in the House on Wednesday after a motion sponsored by the member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, sought to invite President Tinubu to explain the slow implementation of the budget, particularly the execution of constituency projects.
The proposal sharply divided lawmakers, with some members backing the move as an exercise of the legislature’s oversight powers, while others opposed it on constitutional and procedural grounds.
The debate took another turn when Speaker Abbas ruled that the prayer seeking to summon the President was not contained in the original motion submitted ahead of plenary.
“It is a complete deviation from the copy you gave me,” the Speaker told the lawmaker while presiding over the session.
Commenting on the controversy, Agbese maintained that the House possesses extensive constitutional powers to scrutinise public expenditure, but stressed that such oversight should be directed at officials directly responsible for implementing government policies and for implementing approved budgets.
“The House does not need Mr President to appear before it to resolve budget-related issues. The relevant ministers and the Office of the Accountant-General are the right people to answer questions members are asking because they are directly involved in budget implementation,” Agbese said.
According to him, summoning accounting officers and supervising ministers is consistent with the National Assembly’s oversight mandate, as the accounting officers and supervising ministers are charged with managing appropriated funds and ensuring that projects are executed in line with legislative approvals.
Agbese also praised Speaker Abbas for his conduct during the heated debate, describing his intervention as measured, impartial and firmly anchored on the Standing Orders of the House.
“Speaker Abbas showed rare leadership as the presiding officer. He handled the proceedings with calmness, fairness and a clear commitment to protecting the integrity of the House,” he said.
He urged Nigerians not to misconstrue the House’s oversight role or reduce legislative scrutiny of budget implementation to partisan politics, insisting that members remain committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
According to him, the House will continue to engage the relevant government officials to obtain explanations where necessary and ensure that funds appropriated for constituency projects and other government programmes are released and utilised for their intended purposes.
Agbese said the objective of lawmakers was to ensure that budgetary allocations translate into tangible development projects across the country rather than remain on paper.
The Benue lawmaker also dismissed calls by some critics for the cancellation of the National Assembly Open Week scheduled to commence on July 14, describing the annual event as one of the landmark transparency initiatives introduced by the 10th House under the leadership of Speaker Abbas.
He said the programme has strengthened public engagement with the legislature and enhanced collaboration with parliamentary institutions and development partners within and outside Nigeria.
Rejecting suggestions that internal disagreements within the House should affect the event, Agbese assured that members would fully participate in the programme.
“Though things are critical, members will never abdicate their primary responsibility of lawmaking for any other thing or whatever grouse they may have.
“NASS Open Week has come to stay. It has helped to showcase our activities to major stakeholders across the globe, including cooperation from other parliamentary institutions and partners,” he said.
The controversy surrounding Wednesday’s plenary has once again brought into focus the constitutional boundaries of legislative oversight and executive accountability, with differing interpretations among lawmakers on the extent of the National Assembly’s powers in demanding direct explanations from the President on matters relating to budget implementation. Agbese’s intervention, however, underscores the position of those who believe that accountability is best secured through engagement with the public officials directly entrusted with implementing the nation’s appropriations.
