Lawmakers Reignite Probe: Summon Edun, Bagudu Over ₦9 Billion Budgetary Allocation

The National Assembly has summoned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Ministers to testify regarding the ₦9 billion budget allocation for the Ministry of Solid Minerals for 2025.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The individuals summoned include the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Budget and Economic Planning Minister, Atiku Bagudu, and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu.

This decision was made during a meeting of the joint committee on Solid Minerals on Monday, following Bagudu’s absence at a previous session.

Led by Senator Sampson Ekong (PDP, Akwa Ibom South), the joint committee had requested Bagudu’s presence last week to explain the reasons behind what was deemed an “inadequate” allocation for the Ministry of Solid Minerals. However, the minister did not attend.

The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, had previously described the proposed ₦9 billion capital allocation for the ministry in the 2025 fiscal year as insufficient. He made these remarks during his budget defence session before the committee last week.

The committee reiterated that the proposed amount is significantly inadequate to meet the ministry’s needs.

In the latest summons issued on Monday, January 20, Bagudu, Edun, and Yakubu are expected to appear before the committee on Tuesday.

Chairman of the joint committee stated, “Hon Minister, we appreciate your efforts in advocating for the ₦9 billion budgetary proposal for your ministry in 2025 to be reviewed upward by the Ministers and DG Budget Office, but we are disappointed that despite these efforts, nothing has been added to the proposed ₦9 billion.

“Therefore, in line with the resolution taken, this joint committee continues to reject the ₦9 billion proposal for the Solid Minerals Ministry and summons the Ministers of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and the DG Budget to appear before us tomorrow (Tuesday) at 3 p.m. prompt.”

During the session, a committee member from Delta State, Kama Nkemkanma, asserted that the 2025 budget represents an act of sabotage, as it significantly underfunds the essential sectors needed to stimulate the economy.