The Senate has warned Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Government-owned Enterprises (GOEs) that continued failure to honour invitations from the National Assembly will attract sanctions under the 1999 Constitution.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Sani Musa, who cited the persistent refusal of several MDAs and GOEs to appear before Senate committees despite repeated invitations.
Moving the motion, Musa said Sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution empower the National Assembly to investigate the activities of MDAs, GOEs and organisations responsible for managing or disbursing public funds appropriated by the legislature.
He described the repeated absence of government agencies from oversight sessions as a direct challenge to the constitutional authority of the National Assembly.
Following debate, the Senate reaffirmed its constitutional oversight powers and directed all MDAs and GOEs to honour invitations issued by the Senate and its committees whenever required.
Lawmakers also urged the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, and supervising ministries to ensure agencies under their supervision comply with legislative invitations.
The Senate further mandated the Clerk of the National Assembly to communicate its resolution to all MDAs, GOEs, the SGF, the Head of Service and other relevant authorities for immediate compliance.
During the debate, Senator Mohammed Monguno said the motion was long overdue, stressing that the legislature must protect its independence under Nigeria’s presidential system.
Senator Abdul Ningi expressed concern over what he described as growing disregard for legislative oversight, noting that the executive and legislature had enjoyed a more cooperative relationship during the early years of the Fourth Republic.
He proposed issuing a final warning to defaulting agencies before notifying President Bola Tinubu if the violations continue. Ningi also suggested that the National Assembly could consider withholding budgetary allocations to persistently non-compliant agencies.
Senator Orji Kalu argued that the legislature was being taken for granted and urged the Senate to enforce its constitutional powers.
He said agencies that ignore summons after being invited should face warrants of arrest.
