Proceedings in the House of Representatives on Wednesday descended into a heated exchange as lawmakers clashed over a motion seeking to summon President Bola Tinubu to explain delays in the implementation of the 2025 Appropriation Act.

The disagreement disrupted plenary for about 30 minutes, with legislators sharply divided over whether the President should appear before the House to address concerns surrounding the execution of the federal budget.

The controversy began when the member representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency in Delta State, Benedict Etanabene, raised a point of privilege during plenary.

Etanabene drew the attention of the House to a June 29 circular issued by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, directing all federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to suspend the processing of payments for constituency and Zonal Intervention Projects (ZIPs) pending verification by the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Expressing concern over the directive, the lawmaker argued that the decision could further delay the implementation of the 2025 budget and undermine projects approved by the National Assembly.

He subsequently urged the House to invite President Tinubu to explain the slow pace of budget execution and address issues affecting the release of funds for constituency projects.

The member representing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Mascot Ikwechegh, also voiced concern over the delays, warning that the situation was affecting government programmes and project delivery across the country.

The proposal triggered a tense debate, with lawmakers taking opposing positions on whether the President should be summoned.

As members spoke in support of the motion, several legislators repeatedly interrupted the proceedings by chanting “sit down,” creating a rowdy atmosphere inside the chamber.

The exchanges led to prolonged arguments, temporarily disrupting legislative business before order was eventually restored.

At the conclusion of the debate, Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, declined to entertain the motion.

He ruled that the prayers presented on the floor differed from those contained in the original document submitted by the sponsors, describing the variation as a departure from the approved version.

Based on the procedural inconsistency, Abbas overruled the motion, effectively bringing the matter to a close without further legislative action.