Senate President Godswill Akpabio has asked President Bola Tinubu to caution “intransigent ministers” in his cabinet who won’t respond to invitations by the National Assembly.
Akpabio said such ministers have no place in Tinubu’s cabinet because they are not democrats.
The Senate President made this known on Wednesday when the President presented 2025 budget estimates of N49.7 tn before a joint session of the National Assembly.
“Those who disregard invitation by the National Assembly are not democratic and therefore have no place in your government,” Akpabio told Tinubu before a full house of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
He stressed the need for ministers and appointees of the President to respond promptly to the requests of the National Assembly to provide necessary explanations regarding their stewardship.
The Senate President said the legislators have the constitutional powers to take action when they refuse to appear before the red and green chambers.
Tinubu was accompanied to the budget presentation by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; among other top government officials.
The presentation was expected to take place on Tuesday but that was moved to Wednesday after a meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) held on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
