The Senate has rejected a motion sponsored by Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which sought legislative intervention on several governance challenges in Abuja.
Kingibe raised the motion under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Rules, highlighting issues such as the worsening waste management crisis, demolitions by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), non-payment of salaries, delays in contractor mobilisation, complications in land allocation and reallocation, and the depletion of land belonging to the University of Abuja.
However, Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that the issues Kingibe raised differed from those previously discussed with him.
He added that the motion did not qualify as a matter of urgent national importance, especially because it combined multiple unrelated issues.
“She should withdraw the motion and bring a substantive motion to discuss the issue of waste management,” Akpabio said.
Supporting the Senate President, Tahir Monguno, Chief Whip and senator representing Borno North, said the motion failed to meet procedural requirements.
“There is nothing to discuss based on our rules. Because you can’t put something on nothing,” Monguno added.
Sunday Karimi, senator for Kogi West, criticised Kingibe further, accusing her of bringing the motion “in deceit.”
In response, Kingibe said she would comply with the Senate’s directive, stating, “I will represent it as a substantive motion on just waste management.”
