The Senate has warned that it will invoke constitutional powers to sanction Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Government-Owned Enterprises (GOEs) that fail or refuse to honour invitations issued by the upper legislative chamber or its committees.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Sani Musa (APC–Niger East) during Thursday’s plenary on the persistent refusal of some government institutions to appear before the Senate Committee on Finance for oversight and investigative proceedings.
The Senate reaffirmed its constitutional authority under Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to investigate public institutions, scrutinise the administration and expenditure of public funds, and ensure accountability in governance.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate directed all MDAs and government-owned enterprises to honour invitations, appear before relevant committees, and provide all documents, records and information required for effective legislative oversight.
The chamber also urged the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and ministers to ensure strict compliance by agencies under their supervision.
In addition, the Senate mandated the Clerk of the National Assembly to communicate the resolutions to all relevant government institutions for immediate compliance with Senate invitations, summonses and directives.
It further called on the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to issue a formal directive reaffirming the National Assembly’s oversight powers and demanding full cooperation from government institutions.
Presenting the motion, Musa, who chairs the Senate Committee on Finance, said the National Assembly was constitutionally empowered to investigate the administration and expenditure of appropriated funds, expose corruption, inefficiency and waste, and promote transparency and accountability.
He noted that Order 97 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended), empowers standing committees to exercise oversight over MDAs and government-owned enterprises within their jurisdictions.
According to him, several government institutions have consistently failed, neglected or refused to honour invitations issued by the Committee on Finance despite their constitutional and statutory obligations to appear before legislative committees or provide requested information.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Danladi Envulu-Anza (APC–Nasarawa North) commended the motion, stressing that Section 89 of the Constitution empowers the Senate to summon individuals and institutions to appear before it, answer questions and provide relevant information.
He urged lawmakers to move beyond discussions and exercise the Senate’s constitutional powers against any individual or agency that refuses to honour legitimate invitations.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC–Edo North) proposed that Senate committees should recommend appropriate enforcement actions against agencies that default on legislative summonses.
He called for the invocation of relevant constitutional provisions and Senate rules where necessary, while ensuring that enforcement actions are carried out with decorum and respect for the institution.
Also speaking, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC–Abia North) said some MDAs and their officials had continued to take the National Assembly for granted, insisting that lawmakers must defend the legislature’s constitutional authority.
He maintained that the Senate does not require the approval of the Executive to discharge its constitutional responsibilities, noting that Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution empower the National Assembly to carry out oversight functions independently.
Similarly, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP–Bauchi Central) emphasised that the legislature is a separate arm of government with clearly defined constitutional responsibilities.
He proposed that the Senate Committee on Finance should make one final attempt to secure the attendance of the affected agencies. If they continue to ignore invitations, he said the committee should report the matter to the Senate President, who would formally notify President Bola Tinubu of the agencies’ conduct.
The Senate unanimously adopted all the resolutions through a voice vote presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
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