The House of Representatives has ordered the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, to appear before it over his allegation that the National Assembly inserted projects to the 2017 budget.
Fashola is expected to appear before members of an Ad hoc Committee of the house on a date to be determined by the committee.
This summon followed the unanimous adoption of a motion under matter of privilege moved by Hon. Sadiq Ibrahim (APC/Adamawa) and seconded by Hon. Aliyu Madaki (APC/Kano).
Relying on Order 6 Rule 1 and Rule 4 of the House Standing Order, Ibrahim said that Fashola’s claims breached the privileges of the lawmakers.
The allegation had caused ripples in the public domain as the minister accused the lawmakers of altering the allocations for critical projects under his ministry.
Fashola had said that the insertion in the ministry’s budget was made in favour of scores of boreholes and primary healthcare centres in lawmakers’ constituencies.
Reacting to the statement, Ibrahim said that the minister’s comments were capable of inciting Nigerians against the lawmakers.
”By this singular act, the minister has breached the privilege of the House.
”Freedom of speech is a constitutional right and everybody has a right to enjoy it; however, Fashola has spoken on an issue agreed upon between the executive and the legislature and laid to rest.
”Fashola abandoned the official channel of communication to the National Assembly and decided to go to the media to make his assertions.
”The budget is an Act and the minister is making a pronouncement on an Act.
”There is need for Fashola to appear before an ad hoc committee to be set up by this House to give answers to his comments.
”It is an attack on all of us and capable of causing friction between the executive and the legislative arm of government,’’ Ibrahim added.
