President Bola Tinubu has been called upon by Senate President Godswill Akpabio to caution cabinet ministers who refuse to honour invitations from the National Assembly.
Akpabio emphasised that such behaviour is undemocratic, asserting that these ministers have no place in Tinubu’s government.
The Senate President expressed his concerns on Wednesday during the President’s presentation of the 2025 budget estimates, amounting to ₦47.9 trillion, before a joint session of the National Assembly.
“Those who disregard invitations by the National Assembly are not democratic and, therefore, have no place in your government,” Akpabio stated before a full assembly of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
He highlighted the importance of ministers and presidential appointees responding promptly to the legislature’s requests for explanations regarding their roles and responsibilities.
Akpabio also noted that the National Assembly has the constitutional authority to take action against those who fail to appear before its chambers.
President Tinubu was joined at the budget presentation by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, and other senior officials.
Originally scheduled for Tuesday, the presentation was postponed to Wednesday following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
