Senate President Godswill Akpabio has issued a stern warning to underperforming chairpersons of standing committees in the upper chamber, stating they will be replaced if they fail to execute their oversight duties effectively.
Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Akpabio addressed complaints raised by Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) about the Senate Committee on Finance’s failure to oversee revenue-generating agencies. He emphasized the importance of accountability, urging committees to submit comprehensive oversight reports by January 31, 2025.
“If some committees find it too difficult to oversee their agencies, we will reconstitute them to ensure capable hands take charge for the benefit of democracy in this country,” Akpabio declared.
The Senate President expressed frustration with the continued disregard by ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) for National Assembly summons. “The constitution empowers us. MDAs must comply with our invitations, and committees must hold them accountable,” he stressed, urging stricter enforcement of legislative authority.
Adding to the concerns, Senator Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West), Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, criticized the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) for submitting inadequate responses to inquiries on petroleum tax remittances. “FIRS even submitted documents altered with tipex and handwritten notes attributed to JP Morgan. This is utterly unacceptable,” Wadada lamented.
The Senate leadership’s push for greater efficiency and transparency signals a renewed focus on legislative oversight to ensure Nigeria’s democratic institutions function effectively.