House Rejects Move to Summon Tinubu Over Budget Delays, Calls for Tougher Action Against Ransom Economy

 

Abuja, Nigeria,. The House of Representatives witnessed a heated session after Speaker Tajudeen Abbas ruled out an attempt by some lawmakers to summon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over delays in the implementation of constituency projects under the national budget.

The controversy began when lawmakers raised concerns over a circular issued by the Accountant-General of the Federation directing Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to suspend payments for constituency and zonal intervention projects pending further vetting by the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Some members argued that the directive had worsened delays in the implementation of the 2025 budget, with complaints that Nigeria is simultaneously implementing aspects of the 2024, 2025 and 2026 budgets.

Bid to Summon President Rejected

Lawmakers, led by Alex Ikwechegh (LP, Abia), called for President Tinubu to appear before the House to explain the slow pace of budget implementation.

However, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas rejected the proposal, explaining that the approved motion before the House did not contain any prayer requesting the President's appearance.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu also clarified that only motions approved by the presiding officer can be debated, noting that the official version only sought the establishment of an ad hoc committee to engage relevant MDAs and report back within four weeks.

The ruling sparked loud protests from some lawmakers before order was eventually restored.

Lawmakers Push for Stronger Anti-Kidnapping Measures

In a separate resolution, the House urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to dismantle the financial networks financing kidnapping, terrorism and banditry across the country.

Lawmakers called for:

• Stronger financial intelligence coordination among security agencies.
• Tighter regulation of Bureau de Change (BDC) operators, Point of Sale (POS) operators and other financial intermediaries.
• Stricter enforcement of anti-money laundering and terrorism financing laws.
• Better collaboration between security agencies, financial institutions and regulators to track ransom payments.
  
  

₦2.23 Trillion Paid as Ransom

Presenting the motion, Ademorin Kuye described Nigeria's growing "ransom economy" as a major national security threat.

He cited reports indicating that Nigerians paid an estimated ₦2.23 trillion in ransom between January 2021 and June 2025, warning that the funds continue to strengthen criminal gangs and terrorist groups.

He also noted that some criminal networks exploit POS operators, informal financial systems, cryptocurrency platforms, hawala networks and other channels to conceal ransom payments and launder illicit funds.

House Seeks Coordinated Government Response

Following the debate, the House urged President Tinubu to establish a coordinated inter-agency framework involving security, financial and regulatory institutions to disrupt ransom financing, improve intelligence sharing and strengthen enforcement of existing anti-money laundering laws.

Lawmakers said tackling the financial lifelines of criminal groups remains essential to improving national security and restoring public confidence.

Source: AfreecanImage News Desk
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