The House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Councils and Ancillary Matters has directed the Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Bunkure, to appear before it on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. This follows her failure to show up for a scheduled session to defend the 2025 budget allocated to the FCT.
During a session held on Monday in Abuja, the committee’s chairman, Fredrick Agbedi, expressed dissatisfaction with the minister’s absence. Agbedi, who represents the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State, issued a formal summon to Bunkure. He warned that the committee may take further action if she fails to honour the invitation on Tuesday.
Out of the 14 agencies that fall under the FCT Ministry’s oversight, only three were present at the budget defence. This led to further concerns among members of the committee, who questioned the seriousness of the ministry’s leadership regarding national budget matters.
Agbedi noted that the minister had received proper notice about the meeting and was expected to appear along with the agencies under her authority. He reminded her that the committee has a responsibility to represent the interests of the residents and original inhabitants of the FCT.
“As a committee, we touch on the fabrics of the people of FCT because we deal directly with the people. This committee is very important to the people of FCT. The minister must appear before this committee tomorrow,” he said.
He also recalled that President Bola Tinubu had earlier urged the National Assembly to speed up work on the 2025 budget, making the defence process even more urgent.
Paul Kalejaiye, a lawmaker from Lagos State representing Ajeromi Ifelodun Federal Constituency, also spoke during the session. He described the minister’s non-appearance as “an insult to the parliament,” warning that constitutional steps could be taken if she failed to attend the rescheduled meeting.
