THE House of Representatives Committee on Legislative Compliance has given a seven-day ultimatum to 19 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government to honour invitations to appear before various relevant committees of the House or face sanctions.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Yusuf Ahmed Badau, stated this while speaking to journalists over the weekend on the refusal of MDAs to honour the invitations of various committees of the 10th House on a wide range of issues based on the House resolutions.
He said, “Its resolutions are key instruments through which it exercises its oversight functions as enshrined in sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“These resolutions are derived from extensive deliberations, investigations, and consultations aimed at addressing the challenges facing the nation and ensuring good governance for all citizens.
“However, it has come to our attention, with increasing concern, that several MDAs have demonstrated a pattern of disrespect, disregard, and non-compliance with these parliamentary resolutions.
“Such actions undermine the authority of the legislature, weaken the principles of separation of powers, and erode public confidence in government institutions”.
According to him, the National Assembly, as the legislative arm of government, plays critical role in Nigeria’s democratic process.
He however lamented that, there is a growing and troubling trend of disrespect and non-compliance with resolutions of the National Assembly by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government.
The MDAs issued the seven days’ ultimatum by the committee include: the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FlRS), Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bank of Industry (BOl), Federal Ministry of Transport, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Federal Ministry of Education, Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement (NESREA), Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Nigeria Communication Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Limited.
Other are: Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC), Police Service Commission, Nigerian Immigration Service, National University Commission, National Island Waterways Authority, Tertiary Education Trust fund (TETfund), Federal Mortgage Bank (FCMB).
Badau added, “Some MDAs failed to provide updates or reports on the status of implementation of resolutions passed by the National Assembly, creating a disconnect in governance.
“These acts of non-compliance are not only unacceptable but also a challenge to the principles of accountability and transparency that guide our democratic governance”.
The lawmaker warned that the committee would invoke the powers vested in the National Assembly to ensure compliance with its resolutions and summons in line with sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution.
“The committee will engage with the leadership of the National Assembly to explore legislative and administrative measures to address non-compliance.
“Where non-compliance is linked to issues of corruption, waste, or abuse of office, relevant anti-corruption agencies will be notified to take appropriate action,” he said.
Recall that the House’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) had earlier recommended the exclusion of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and institutions from the 2025 budget submitted by the President over their refusal to appear before the Committee.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, gave the recommendation based on the resolution of the committee at its extraordinary meeting held on Wednesday, December 18, to review its activities for the legislative year.
He said the committee resolved to take the decision after persistent non-compliance of the MDAs with its summons, aimed at scrutinising their financial operations.