The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory Area Councils and Ancillary Matters on Monday summoned the Minister of State for FCT, Mariya Bunkure, following her failure to appear before it to defend the FCT 2025 budget.
The minister is to appear before the committee on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
The chairman of the committee and member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State, Fredrick Agbedi, handed down a summon in Abuja after only three out of the 14 agencies under her supervision appeared before the committee.
Agbedi, who condemned the absence of the minister, threatened that the parliament would invoke its parliamentary powers against the minister if she did not appear on Tuesday (tomorrow).
He recalled that President Tinubu had asked them to expedite action on the budget.
The lawmaker expressed worry over the negligence of the minister in an all-important budget.
According to him, the minister was duly invited and notified of the meeting, together with the agencies under her jurisdiction.
Agbedi reminded the minister that the parliament and indeed the committee represent the indigenes and residents of the FCT.
“As a committee, we touch on the fabrics of the people of FCT because we deal directly with the people. This committee is very important to the people of FCT. The minister must appear before this committee tomorrow,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the member representing Ajeromi Ifelodun Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Paul Kalejaiye, described the minister’s absence as an insult to the parliament, warning that the committee may be forced to impose its constitutional powers if Mariya fails to show up on Tuesday.
