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 constitutional sanctions.
The warning followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Sani Musa over the persistent refusal of several government agencies to appear before Senate committees despite repeated invitations.
Presenting the motion, Musa said Sections 88 and 89 of the 1999 Constitution empower the National Assembly to investigate the activities of MDAs, GOEs and organisations responsible for administering or spending public funds appropriated by the legislature.
He described the repeated absence of government agencies at oversight sessions as a direct challenge to the authority and constitutional responsibilities of the National Assembly.
Following deliberations, the Senate reaffirmed its oversight powers and directed all government agencies to honour invitations issued by the Senate and its committees whenever required.
Lawmakers also called on 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 control comply with legislative invitations.
The Clerk of the National Assembly was mandated to communicate the resolution to all affected agencies and relevant government authorities for immediate compliance.
During the debate, Senator Mohammed Monguno said the legislature must defend its independence whenever the executive undermines its constitutional role.
Senator Abdul Ningi described the motion as necessary, noting that relations between the executive and legislature had deteriorated compared to the early years of the Fourth Republic. He suggested that the Senate issue a final warning before reporting persistent defaulters to President Bola Tinubu and consider withholding budgetary allocations from non-compliant agencies.
Senator Orji Kalu urged lawmakers to enforce their constitutional powers without delay, proposing the issuance of arrest warrants against officials who ignore legislative summons after repeated invitations.