Reps summon FCT minister of state, Mariya Bunkure

The House of Representatives Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters has summoned Mariya Bunkure, Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, to appear before it on Tuesday, 27 May 2025.

The summon follows the Minister’s failure to honour an earlier invitation to appear before the committee on Monday for a session on the FCT budget.

Fredrick Agbedi, Chairman of the Committee, issued the summons after only three out of the fourteen agencies under the Minister’s supervision attended the session.

Expressing disappointment at her absence, Agbedi warned that the National Assembly would not hesitate to invoke its constitutional powers should the Minister fail to appear as directed. He reminded the committee that President Bola Tinubu had urged the legislature to expedite consideration of the budget. Agbedi described the Minister’s nonchalance as a worrying dereliction in light of the importance of the FCT budget.

“The Minister was duly invited and formally notified of the meeting alongside the agencies under her purview,” he said.

He further stressed that the committee represents the interests of both the indigenes and residents of the FCT. “As a committee, we are in touch with the grassroots. Our work directly affects the lives and wellbeing of the people of the Federal Capital Territory,” Agbedi stated. He also called on President Tinubu to take urgent steps to ensure compliance with legislative oversight.

Also speaking, Paul Kalejaye, who represents Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency in Lagos, described the Minister’s absence as an affront to the authority of the National Assembly. He warned that Parliament has the constitutional mandate to enforce compliance with its resolutions.
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