- The president of the senate said national assembly symbolises democracy and the refusal of some ministers to honour its invitations show that they are not democrats.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said that ministers who disregard national assembly invitations have no place in President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Akpabio made this statement on Wednesday during a joint session of the national assembly, where Tinubu presented the 2025 budget proposal worth N47.9 trillion.
According to Akpabio, the national assembly embodies democracy, and ministers who refuse to honor its invitations demonstrate a lack of democratic values.
“They (ministers) should know that every invitation is constitutional, and we also have constitutional powers to take further action when they refuse to appear,” he said.
Akpabio urged President Tinubu to caution ministers who disrespect the national assembly, stating that those who disregard invitations are not democrats and have no place in the government.
The senate president expressed disappointment that critics of Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills often lack understanding of the policies.
Akpabio encouraged Nigerians to thoughtfully engage with the proposed tax reforms, highlighting their potential to rejuvenate small and medium enterprises and enhance the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.
“This initiative marks the first comprehensive tax reform since Nigeria’s independence, presenting a transformative opportunity for growth and development,” he said.
Akpabio assured that the 2025 budget would be considered and passed swiftly.