Senate President Godswill Akpabio has voiced strong disapproval over the repeated refusal of government officials and agencies to honor legislative summons, warning that such actions undermine democracy and the rule of law. Represented by Senator Abdul Ningi at the National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance in Abuja, Akpabio stressed the constitutional mandate of the Public Accounts Committees (PACs) to demand accountability for public spending.
“The PACs have the legal authority to summon any official to explain public expenditures. Ignoring such summons is unacceptable and violates democratic norms,” Akpabio stated, referencing constitutional provisions that empower legislative oversight. He criticized non-compliant ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) and urged thorough investigations and performance-based audits to reinforce accountability.
Additionally, Akpabio called for improved technical support and digital solutions to enhance oversight of major institutions like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). “This conference must yield practical solutions to strengthen fiscal governance beyond mere discussions,” he asserted.
Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, represented by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, raised concerns over Nigeria’s ineffective audit enforcement, citing unresolved audit queries exceeding N300 billion. Abbas emphasized the need for penalties for financial misconduct and outlined the 10th House’s initiatives, including real-time expenditure tracking, digitized audits, and stricter enforcement of financial regulations.
“Fiscal oversight is critical for national development, not just a procedural formality,” Abbas declared. He revealed plans to simplify and publicize audit reports for greater transparency and advocated for a unified national audit framework to ensure fiscal discipline across all government levels. “We are institutionalizing performance reviews, sector-specific audits, and impact evaluations,” he added.
The conference highlights the National Assembly’s intensified efforts to enhance fiscal accountability. Both leaders encouraged lawmakers to embrace innovative approaches to tackle systemic inefficiencies and promote greater transparency in public financial management.
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