The Senate Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and the management of the commission engaged in a heated exchange on Tuesday over the utilisation of N16.6 billion released to the agency, with lawmakers raising concerns over several expenditure items, including N153 million spent on an Abuja liaison office and a N2.5 billion provision listed as “implied expenditure.”

The disagreement unfolded during an investigative hearing convened by the Senate Committee on SEDC, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, as part of its oversight responsibilities.

At the centre of the scrutiny was the commission’s financial report presented by the Managing Director of the SEDC, Mark Okoye, and other senior officials of the agency.

Lawmakers Demand Accountability

Members of the committee questioned how funds released to the commission had been utilised since the agency received its allocation in December 2025.

Senator Kalu disclosed that records available to the committee indicated that only about N13 billion remained from the N16.6 billion released to the commission, suggesting that approximately N3.6 billion had either been spent or committed.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the financial report submitted by the commission, Kalu described the document as inadequate and unacceptable, insisting that every expenditure must be fully justified.

The committee particularly queried the reported N153 million expenditure on an Abuja liaison office, with lawmakers arguing that the amount appeared excessive for the facility being occupied by the commission.

Other committee members, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Victor Umeh and Senator Austin Akobundu, also challenged aspects of the report and demanded detailed explanations for several expenditure items.

The lawmakers maintained that as a newly established intervention agency, the SEDC must uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in managing public resources.

SEDC Defends Financial Decisions

Responding to the concerns, Okoye defended the commission’s spending pattern, insisting that all expenditures were lawful and aimed at building the institutional capacity of the agency while advancing developmental projects across the South-East region.

He explained that the commission had deliberately adopted a cautious financial strategy to avoid creating liabilities that could exceed available cash resources.

According to him, budgetary provisions should not be mistaken for actual cash available for spending, stressing that contract awards must be tied to funds that have been released rather than total budget estimates.

Okoye argued that awarding contracts based solely on approved budgets without corresponding cash backing could result in abandoned projects, financial deficits and unfunded obligations.

The SEDC chief said the commission’s approach was designed to ensure that projects are implemented within available resources while maintaining fiscal discipline.

Senate Orders Submission of Documents

Despite the explanations offered by the commission, the committee remained unsatisfied and directed the SEDC to submit comprehensive documentation detailing all expenditures and commitments.

The lawmakers requested procurement records, payment schedules, contract documents and other supporting financial records to enable the committee conduct a thorough review of the commission’s financial activities.

Senator Kalu subsequently directed the commission to provide all requested documents on or before June 23, after which the committee would determine the date for a subsequent appearance by the agency.

Commission Clarifies N153m Office Expenditure

Following the hearing, the SEDC issued a statement providing further clarification on the disputed expenditure items.

The commission explained that the N153 million cited by lawmakers was not solely for rent but covered the establishment and operation of its Abuja liaison office located at the Congress Building on Mississippi Street in Maitama, Abuja.

According to the agency, the office occupies the basement, ground floor and boardroom sections of the building under a duly executed lease agreement.

The commission stated that the expenditure includes rent, utility services, operational costs and office fit-out works carried out from February 2025 to date.

N2.5bn Yet to Be Disbursed, Says SEDC

The SEDC also addressed questions surrounding the N2.5 billion listed as “implied expenditure.”

According to the commission, the amount relates to a contract approved for the rehabilitation of its headquarters in Enugu and was awarded in compliance with the provisions of the Public Procurement Act.

The agency clarified that the funds have not been released to any contractor and remain in its accounts.

It explained that the amount was reflected as a financial commitment tied to an approved project rather than an actual disbursement.

Commitment to Transparency

The commission further stated that expenditures recorded so far were connected to institutional establishment, project development, stakeholder consultations, regional development programmes and other foundational activities necessary for the operation of the newly created agency.

Reaffirming its commitment to accountability, the SEDC pledged full cooperation with the Senate’s oversight process and assured lawmakers that all requested financial records and supporting documents would be submitted within the stipulated timeline.

The development sets the stage for further legislative scrutiny of the commission’s finances as the Senate seeks detailed explanations on how public funds allocated to the South East Development Commission have been managed since its establishment.

The Senate has reversed its recent amendment to the Standing Orders that sought to restrict participation in the election of Senate leaders to only senators who had already taken the Oath of Office and Allegiance.

The decision, taken during plenary on Thursday, effectively restores the previous procedure and allows all duly elected senators to participate in the election of presiding officers in the 11th National Assembly.

The motion for the reversal was moved by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who explained that the amendment approved two days earlier could create constitutional conflicts and unnecessary political tension if allowed to stand.

According to Bamidele, further legislative and constitutional reviews showed that the amendment to Section 2, Subsection 2, and Section 3, Subsection 1 of the Senate Standing Orders might contradict constitutional provisions governing the rights and status of elected lawmakers.

The Senate subsequently adopted the motion and officially reversed the changes.

The plenary session was presided over by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau.

Before the reversal, the amended rules had stated that only senators-elect who had taken the oath contained in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution would be permitted to participate in Senate proceedings, including voting for the offices of Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

The amendment had generated debate and political tension within the chamber, with some lawmakers expressing concern that the rule could be used to limit participation in future leadership contests, including the race for Senate President in 2027.

During Thursday’s sitting, Adams Oshiomhole raised a point of order to clarify his earlier remarks made during Wednesday’s proceedings. Oshiomhole insisted that lawmakers should not be prevented from expressing their opinions on issues before the Senate.

However, the Deputy Senate President ruled him out of order, stating that the matter had already been resolved following the reversal of the amendment.

Bamidele also reminded senators that concerns regarding Senate procedures should be presented through substantive motions in line with parliamentary rules.

He further cautioned Oshiomhole against what he described as unnecessary “drama” on the Senate floor, referencing the exchanges that occurred during the previous day’s plenary session.

The reversal is expected to ease tensions within the Red Chamber and preserve broader participation in future leadership elections of the Senate.

A high-level delegation of the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, held an emergency strategic meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, shortly after adjourning plenary.

The meeting, which took place less than two hours after the Senate concluded its session, followed a resolution reached during a closed-door executive sitting of lawmakers earlier in the day.

Leading the delegation was Senate President Godswill Akpabio. He was accompanied by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro.

Other senators present at the meeting included Danjuma Goje, Abdul Ningi, Adamu Aliero, and Orji Uzor Kalu.

Sources within the National Assembly described the engagement as critical, noting that it was convened to address pressing national concerns requiring immediate attention at the highest level of government.

While details of the deliberations were not made public, officials confirmed that discussions centred on matters of urgent national importance.

The lawmakers and the President were said to have taken far-reaching decisions aimed at safeguarding the overall interest of the country.

The urgency and duration of the meeting underscore the gravity of the issues considered, with indications that key policy actions or government decisions may follow in the coming days.