The senate has turned down a motion seeking a probe into the inclusion of the presidential foreign intervention promotion council (PFIPC) in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
Lawmakers resolved to withhold further action until the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) concludes the probe ordered by President Bola Tinubu.
The decision came after a point of order raised by Kawu Sumaila, senator representing Kano south, who appealed to the upper chamber to probe how the agency, which the presidency has described as non-existent, secured a budgetary allocation of N1.3 billion.
Speaking at Wednesday’s plenary, Sumaila stated that the controversy directly affects the integrity of the senate, the credibility of the national assembly and its constitutional oversight and appropriation responsibilities.
As Sumaila started presenting his motion, Barau Jibrin, deputy senate president, who presided over plenary, interrupted him, saying the matter seened to be like a substantive motion.
“I raised it as a matter of privilege. I am pleading with Mr President to allow me, just to hear me; then the chair can decide,” Sumaila said.
Barau replied: “What I am saying is this: the way you come to ventilate your views”.
“Allow me…” Sumaila responded.
“You are coming as if you are presenting a substantive motion. But, you say it, say your mind about what you feel like it. The senate will look at what should be done. I want to guide you,” Barau said.
“I am properly guided,” Sumaila replied.
Barau later allowed him to proceed after directing another senator, who attempted to raise a separate point of order, to take his seat.
Presenting his case, Sumaila said the inclusion of the PFIPC in the 2026 budget raised serious questions about the integrity of the appropriation process.
He noted that although the executive had publicly disowned the agency, it was allocated N1,302,978,000 under budget code 0111062001 in the appropriation act.
“Senate notes that notwithstanding the executive’s public disapproval of this agency, the entirety was incorporated in the 2026 Appropriation Act under Code 0111062001 with a budgetary allocation of N1,302,978,000,” he said.
“Thereby raising a serious question regarding the integrity of the budget preparation and appropriation process.”
