Proceedings in the House of Representatives turned rowdy on Wednesday after lawmakers clashed over a motion seeking to summon President Bola Tinubu to explain delays in the implementation of the 2025 budget.

The tension arose during plenary when Benedict Etanabene, who represents the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency of Delta State, raised a point of privilege to draw the attention of the House to a circular issued on June 29 by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi.

The circular directed all federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to immediately suspend the processing of payments for constituency and Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIPs) unless the projects had first been vetted and approved by the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Etanabene argued that the directive could further delay the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act and called on the House to summon President Bola Tinubu to explain the slow pace of budget execution and the implications of the new payment directive.

His proposal sparked heated exchanges among lawmakers, with members sharply divided over the motion, resulting in a rowdy session that briefly disrupted plenary.

More details to follow…