The House of Representatives was thrown into a rowdy session on Wednesday following a heated disagreement among lawmakers over a motion seeking to invite President Bola Tinubu to explain the alleged non-funding of constituency projects across the country.
The controversy began after a motion was moved by the member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh (Labour Party), who expressed concern over the persistent delay in the release of funds for constituency projects captured in the national budget.
Ikwechegh urged the House to summon President Tinubu to provide explanations on the matter, arguing that the delay was affecting the execution of critical projects intended to improve the welfare of constituents nationwide.
The motion was seconded by another lawmaker, while a separate amendment proposed that the House suspend plenary for one week until the funding issue was resolved.
The proposals immediately triggered a heated debate, with members sharply divided over the appropriate course of action.
Leading the opposition, Yusuf Gagdi (APC, Plateau) argued that there was no constitutional basis for summoning the President over the matter, maintaining that the implementation and funding of constituency projects fall within the responsibilities of the relevant ministries, departments and agencies, rather than the President directly.
Gagdi also opposed the suggestion that the House should suspend legislative proceedings for one week, describing the proposal as unnecessary and counterproductive.
His remarks sparked protests from several lawmakers, leading to shouting matches across the chamber as members exchanged arguments over the motion.
As the debate grew increasingly tense, Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, intervened in an effort to restore order and directed that members vote on the matter to determine the position of the House.
However, before the vote could proceed on the request to invite the President, Abbas ruled the proposal out of order, explaining that it did not form part of the substantive motion originally presented by Ikwechegh.
The Speaker’s ruling effectively halted the move to summon President Tinubu, bringing the heated debate to a close while allowing the House to proceed with other legislative business.