Senate Orders Sanctions Against MDAs That Ignore Oversight Invitations

The Senate on Thursday resolved to strictly enforce its rules against Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government that fail to honour invitations to appear before its committees for oversight and budget performance reviews.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, over what lawmakers described as the persistent refusal of several government agencies to appear before Senate committees to defend their budgets and account for public funds.

Moving the motion, Senator Musa expressed concern over the growing disregard for legislative oversight by some agencies, warning that the trend undermines accountability and transparency in public administration.

Supporting the motion, Senator Abdul Ningi said the Senate could no longer continue pleading with government agencies to perform what he described as their constitutional obligation.

Similarly Senator Adams Oshiomhole maintained that the repeated failure of some agencies to appear before lawmakers had nothing to do with President Bola Tinubu, insisting that responsibility rests squarely with the heads of the defaulting institutions.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Danladi Envulu-Anza cited Section 89(2) of the 1999 Constitutio, arguing that the Senate possesses the constitutional authority to issue warrants compelling the appearance of officials who ignore legislative summons.

Reacting to the debate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio acknowledged the concerns raised by lawmakers but faulted Senator Sani Musa for not fully utilising the powers already available to his committee to ensure compliance.

Senator Ogoshi Onawo reminded the Senate President of an earlier incident involving Senator Oshiomhole and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL)

The debate became more animated after Senator Oshiomhole proposed an additional prayer empowering the Senate President to promptly approve requests for warrants against heads of agencies who repeatedly ignore Senate invitations.

Responding , the senate president maintained that while the Senate possesses constitutional powers to compel attendance, such powers must always be exercised strictly in accordance with the Constitution, relevant laws and the Senate Standing Orders.

Following extensive deliberations, the Senate resolved to call on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and all ministers to ensure that agencies under their supervision promptly honour invitations from the National Assembly.

The lawmakers further resolved that any ministry, department or agency that deliberately refuses to appear before Senate committees or obstructs legislative oversight would henceforth face sanctions under the 1999 Constitution, the legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, the Fiscal Responsibility Act, and the Senate Standing Orders.