Reps urge Wike to appoint substantive Auditor-General for FCT Area Councils

The House of Representatives has called on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to swiftly appoint a substantive Auditor-General for the Area Councils, in accordance with the law.

The call came during a session of the Public Accounts Committee, following the adoption of a motion highlighting the impact of the vacant position. The committee observed that the absence of a substantive Auditor-General has led to delays in the signing and submission of audited accounts, as required by the Constitution.

Addressing the committee, the Chairman, Bamidele Salam, emphasized the importance of intervention in the matter, recalling a similar situation in 2023 when the office of the Auditor-General for the Federation had been vacant for two years under former President Muhammadu Buhari. Salam explained that, at the time, audit reports were not submitted, and it was only after concerted efforts from the Senate that a new Auditor-General was appointed.

“We should step into this. As I said, when we resumed in October 2023, the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation in Nigeria was vacant for about two years. The former President, President Muhammadu Buhari refused to make an appointment. And so, audit reports were not submitted. So, when we came in, my Senate counterpart decided to write letters to the President and make some advocacy upon which a substantive one was appointed,” Salam stated.

Salam suggested that the same approach should be taken with Wike, including potentially writing to the Minister and inviting him to explain the delay in the appointment. He stressed that a resolution on the matter was necessary.

The motion to urge Wike was moved by Obordor Mitema (PDP, Bayelsa) and seconded by Usman Bala.

During the session, the Acting Auditor-General for the Area Councils, Abdullahi Salihu, provided an update on the state of the office, noting that many of the financial infractions identified had occurred under previous administrations. Salihu, who has been in the acting position for six months, explained that the infractions include the non-submission of audited financial reports for 2023-2024, failure to remit pension deductions to the Pension Commission, and the non-submission of available audited reports to the committee.

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In response to these findings, Billy Osawaru (APC, Edo) urged the committee to apply the full force of the law against the office of the Auditor-General for these breaches, stressing that such issues must be addressed.

To further investigate the matter, a five-member sub-committee was formed, chaired by Tochukwu Okere. The other members of the sub-committee include Ajiya Abdulrahman, Mandara Usman, Mauruff Adebayo, and Mohammed Bargaja.

The session was attended by the Chairmen of the Abuja Municipal Area Council, Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, and Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya, while the Vice Chairmen of the Kuje and Kwali Area Councils also represented their respective councils.

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